Page 10: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (October 2026)

Cyber Security

TO SERVE AND CONNECT

A contract equipping US dredgers and support vessels with secure IT infrastructure has demonstrated the value of high-end network solutions – even as the maritime sector plays catch-up with modern cybersecurity realities.

oday’s ‘connected ship’ has access to more is inherently conservative and resistant to technological advanced technology and greater bandwidth change, he argues that the real issue is more nuanced: op- than ever before. However, while these solu- erational practices have not kept up with the rapid spread tions have the capability to boost situational of technology and the evolution of modern threats.

T awareness and enhance ship-to-shore communications, “Vessels operate similarly to industrial manufactur- the more systems installed on board, the tougher they are ing facilities, using both operational technology [OT] to manage. to control critical mechanical systems and information “Building a secure network from day one takes a lot technology [IT] for general network services,” Kember- of work, but we’re seeing smaller operators cut corners ling explains. “Because ship operators are rarely network – they’re just not doing it right,” warns Nathaniel Kem- security experts, they traditionally lump these systems berling, President and CEO of BroCoTec, a Houston- together into