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structure faces signi? cant and increasing cybersecurity risks Winter, director of the Belgian Navy’s Maritime Operations in the form of threat actors, vulnerabilities and potential Centre, said, “One of these threats is espionage and sabotage impacts.” The threat actors highlighted in the report: “State actions by the enemy to our vital infrastructure on the sea bot- actors, cybercriminals and others could potentially conduct tom. The threat is not only hypothetical, it’s a real danger.” cyberattacks against offshore oil and gas infrastructure. The Subsea transmission systems have been the focus of think federal government has identi? ed the oil and gas sector as a tank work. The Center for European Policy Analysis, in a Jan. target of malicious state actors.” 23, 2023, article by Lukas Trakimavicius, warned that, “En-

The same report highlighted vulnerabilities, noting, “Mod- ergy installations at sea and subsea transmission infrastructure ern exploration and production methods are increasingly re- are at risk from a wide array of threats. These include anchor- liant on remotely connected operational technology – often ing, trawling or even terrorist attacks. However, there is also critical to safety – that is vulnerable to cyberattack. Older in- an even greater concern that hostile regimes could target this frastructure is also vulnerable because its operational technol- infrastructure to disrupt electricity ? ows.” The attack on the ogy can have fewer cybersecurity protection measures.” The Nord Stream pipeline has underscored vulnerability and risk.

long-term impacts of a successful attack off shore was also How will the Maritime Risk Symposium analyze these is- highlighted in the same report, “A successful cyberattack on sues? The symposium will be broken down into seven panels: offshore oil and gas infrastructure could cause physical, envi- • Calculating Offshore Energy Risks ronmental and economic harm, according to federal of? cials. • Maritime Autonomy: The Future is Technology

For example, of? cials said that the effects of a cyberattack • Subsea and Surface infrastructure Quality Standards could resemble those that occurred in the 2010 Deepwater and Assurance

Horizon disaster. Disruptions to oil and gas production or • Offshore Energy and Autonomy Cyber Risk transmission could also affect energy supplies and markets.” • Offshore Energy Port Infrastructure Risk

In 2015 NATO conducted a workshop that also highlight- • Wind Farms: Who is in Charge? ed the risk to offshore energy platforms. The article NATO • MRS Wrap-Up Panel – Symposium Highlights and published on the event noted, “A growing share of energy Offshore Wind MTS Risk Management Interface resources – both oil and lique? ed natural gas – is produced and Research offshore and transported by sea. This means that countries are Panel facilitators and panel members are world-class re- increasingly dependent on the security of maritime energy searchers, industry leaders and academics. Among the par- infrastructure, which is vulnerable to a range of well-known ticipants are Dr. Henry Willis of the RAND Corporation, a risks and threats, including terrorist attacks, piracy and natural senior policy researcher and a professor in the Pardee RAND disasters. More recently, concerns about the potential conse- Graduate School; Dr. Kevin Jones, executive dean of the fac- quences of cyberattacks have become more widespread.” ulty of Science and Engineering University of Plymouth in

Recently discussions have gone from risk issues above the the United Kingdom; and Capt. Zeita Merchant, commanding water, on wind farms and similar energy systems to the cable of? cer, U.S. Coast Guard Sector New York. systems that transmit developed power. In a June 21, 2023, An evening reception on Nov. 14 will feature a student article for Euronews, reporter Denis Loctier highlighted how poster contest that will showcase some of the best and bright-

Belgian authorities were “stepping up efforts to ensure the est students. Participating colleges include SUNY, U.S. Mer- safety of offshore infrastructure in the North Sea following chant Marine Academy, U.S. Coast Guard Academy, Stevens a series of incidents that raised fears of attacks on underwa- Institute, Webb Institute, Rutgers University, Old Dominion ter internet cables, gas pipelines and wind farms. Sightings of University and many others.

an undetected Russian ship in both Dutch and Belgian waters More information on the Maritime Risk Symposium 2023 last November prompted intelligence of? cials to question if can be found at: https://www.maritimerisksymposium.org/.

Moscow was spying on the North Sea's offshore wind farms.” For registration information, please contact Eric Johansson at

When interviewed for the Loctier article, Cmdr. Kurt De [email protected]

The Author The Author

DiRenzo Johansson

Dr. Joe DiRenzo is a national co-chairman of the 2023 Maritime Risk Capt. Eric Johansson is a third-generation Port of NY/NJ tug captain.

Symposium and is the director of research partnerships at the U.S. He has been at SUNY Maritime since 1994 and enjoys teaching and

Coast Guard Research and Development Center. A retired Coast mentoring future professional mariners interested in towing, shipping,

Guard of? cer and former cutter commanding of? cer, he teaches for marine spatial planning, leadership and ship systems. He is founder

American Military University and National University. of the annual SUNY Maritime College Towing Forum.

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