Page 33: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (September 2018)

Ports Pushed to Up

Cyber Security “Oh what a tangled web we weave, when ? rst we practice to deceive.” That old chestnut gets turned on its head when it comes to port cyber security. It’s more like “Oh what a tangled web we’ve woven, so much harder to stop data stolen.”

BY PATRICIA KEEFE

Ports today have the physical aspect of security pretty client data; logistics and supply chain software; cargo well nailed shut - gates, locks, fencing, alarms, cam- movements, video, and connections to and between dif- eras, drones, etc. As Chris Mason, Rajant Corp.’s di- ferent terminals and transportation modes - on land rector of sales for EMEA, notes, “Every port I’ve ever and at sea. There’s voice and data communications been to has signs of physical security – it’s the classic over wireless, wired, radio, satellite networks etc., physically secure environment.” competing in some cases with interference from ven-

It’s much, much more complicated on the cyber side dor, client, crew and area frequency signals. And there of the coin. Ports today are comprised of many varied is security – biometrics, ? rewalls, authentication, en- businesses operating via an immense tangle of open cryption, passwords, anti-virus and anti-malware pro- and proprietary networked and automated systems grams. That’s a staggering amount of technology, and supporting all sorts of data storage; back of? ce sched- every bit it constitutes a potential threat and must be uling, invoicing, cargo manifests, compliance reports, assessed and secured. © vectorfusionart/AdobeStock www.marinelink.com 33

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