Page 19: of Maritime Logistics Professional Magazine (Jul/Aug 2017)

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Image credit: Port of Los Angeles - Liquid Terminals

Maritime Security & the Road Ahead and physical security managers will continue to work more

Tools and technology as well as a dedicated task force to closely to help ensure that the entire entity is protected. With bolster security are crucial. As threats and cyber risk increases hackers becoming even more advanced, the access they can it’s important to look to the future and stay focused on what’s gain from an unprotected internet protocol (IP) camera to not ahead for the maritime industry, its infrastructure and the sup- only data, but other connected devices, can be disastrous.” ply chain it supports from all sides. Nick Doyle, a managing director with Kroll in London adds “Going forward, cyber will continue to be a hot topic in port that the design and integration of complex and innovative sys- security,” says Taylor. “A company can put all necessary barriers tems, alongside effective cyber, crisis management, and busi- in place to prevent an attack from a foreign country or outside en- ness continuity plans, will likely fnd their way into many, if tity, but still be exposed to the insider threat. Whether it is an un- not all, ports within the next three to fve years. This will help knowing employee opening up an infected email, or a disgruntled ensure that ports are prepared to manage and respond to a di- employee inserting a malicious thumb drive, there are numerous verse range of potential business impacts. He smartly points ways the network can be exposed to a virus from the inside. Secu- out that on the day of 9/11, U.S. airports remained closed. But rity professionals know we cannot be complacent and this is par- after fve hours ports were being reopened as the authorities ticularly true with cyber. The message for proper cyber hygiene realized how critical they are. has to be circulated over and over again to employees at all levels As attacks – both physical and cyber – continue to rise, mari- within a company and protocols need to be enforced regarding time infrastructure must be riveted on reliable security measures. the use of external devices. Information technology is ever evolv- Says Icorvati: “While many ports are considering the cyber ing and the next cyber disaster could be just a click away.” security ramifcations currently, over the next few years as at-

Icorvati also posits that the newfound utility of data secu- tacks continue to rise and physical security improves, it will rity from information technology is a growing concern. The become the forefront of safety and security.”

Internet of Things (IoT) and the opportunity it presents in ex- tracting data and using it, is a source of concern for maritime

The Author security in the near term. “The focus will be on connected devices, whether it is learn-

Jim Romeo is a marine engineer and a freelance writer based ing new ways to utilize connected devices for improved op- in Chesapeake, Virginia.

erational effciency or physical security, it will continue to remain a priority,” he says. “As with most industries today, IT www.maritimelogisticsprofessional.com 19

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