Page 22: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (June 2015)

MARITIME SIMULATION & CYBER SECURITY

Five Short Blasts

Is Marit me Simulat on the Solut on to Marit me Cyber Security Threats

BY CAPTAIN EMIL MUCCIN he U.S. Executive Branch has declared that the cyber threat is one of the most serious eco-

Tnomic and national security challenges we face as a nation, and that

America’s economic prosperity in the 21st century will depend on effective cyber security. Before the maritime in- dustry sounds the danger signal, it needs to monitor other industries and branches of the government and take proactive preventative measures. There is no bet-

Vulnerable to Hacking Vulnerable to Hacking ter place to prepare future and current mariners for these challenges than in maritime simulators.

Whhld Whhld Whhld Whhld What should concern

Cyber Security many in the maritime many in the maritime

Cyber security refers to the technolo- industry is that the industry is that the gies and processes designed to protect computers, networks and data from un- main ship navigation main ship navigation authorized access, vulnerabilities and at- tacks delivered via the Internet by cyber systems including systems including criminals. With the advent of comput- ers, network devices and telecommuni-

GPS, AIS and ECDIS GPS, AIS and ECDIS cations that make transport of data via receive data via radio receive data via radio radio frequency common place, it has opened a new world of vulnerabilities frequency transmission frequency transmission to hackers to tap, steal, destroy or alter data. This has led into a new area of po- at sea and as such are at sea and as such are tential maritime threats that go well be- yond physical piracy such as the Maersk extremely vulnerable extremely vulnerable

Alabama. With the recent GPS spoo? ng to hacking.to hacking.

of a yacht by students at the University of Texas, the maritime sector has entered into a new arena that must be addressed as Maritime Cyber Security. ernment has led other departments and information systems and devices. with sensitive information.

The U.S., as a world leader and ma- agencies to take initial steps to address Newly developed cyber training will Department of Homeland Security jor target for terrorism in early 2013, the growing issues with cyber threats. provide mariners with a comprehensive (DHS), through the United States Coast through the Executive branch signed The U.S. Department of Transportation, overview of the range of threats that in- Guard (USCG), has also taken to task an Executive Order (EO) 13636 to Im- Maritime Administration (MARAD) be- formation systems and devices are sub- these growing threats and has deter- prove Critical Infrastructure (CI) cyber ing one of those proactive organizations ject to, and the practices recommended mined that American ports, terminals, security and Presidential Policy Direc- has recently teamed with the Ship Op- to minimize those vulnerabilities. Best re? neries, vessels and support indus- tive 21 – Critical Infrastructure Security erations Cooperative Program (SOCP) practices that are addressed in the train- tries are vital to the safekeeping of the and Resilience (PPD-21). It established to cooperatively develop Information ing include a wide range of topics, from nation’s infrastructure, security and our an All Hazards approach to critical in- Systems Security Awareness Computer- maintaining security for networks, to economy.

frastructure security and resilience. The Based Training (CBT) on cyber threats personal use of workplace computers, In short, there are as many potential cyber security EO establishes a require- in the maritime environment. This is a good password practices, and issues avenues for cyber damage in the mari- ment for federal agencies to collaborate ? rst for the U.S. maritime community to concerning the use of social media like time sector as there are cyber systems. with their respective industry sectors to recognize and take action to assist vessel Facebook and Twitter. This training also While only some cyber-attack scenarios identify Critical Infrastructure that can owners and operators with training U.S. addresses issues for mariners working in the maritime sector could credibly be impacted by cyber activity. mariners on best practices to reduce the aboard vessels, such as speci? c log-in lead to a Transportation Security Inci-

This initial foray by the federal gov- risks and vulnerability associated with policies and rules surrounding working dent, we must identify and prioritize 22 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • JUNE 2015

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