Posted: February 9th, 2023

The role of cyber companies & classification societies in enhancing cyber resilience in a seaport

The role of cyber companies & classification societies in enhancing cyber resilience in a seaport
Cybersecurity is a critical concern for seaports, as a successful cyberattack on these facilities can disrupt global trade and cause significant economic damage. Cyber companies and classification societies play important roles in enhancing cyber resilience in seaports.
Firstly, cyber companies specialize in providing cybersecurity solutions and services to organizations, including seaports. These companies offer a range of services, such as vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, incident response, and security monitoring. By utilizing the expertise of these companies, seaports can identify and address vulnerabilities in their systems, and implement effective security measures to protect against cyber threats.
One example of a successful partnership between a seaport and a cyber company is the collaboration between the Port of Rotterdam and cyber security company Cybersecurity Factory. The Port of Rotterdam, which handles over 400 million tons of cargo annually, partnered with Cybersecurity Factory to conduct a comprehensive security assessment of its IT systems. The assessment identified several vulnerabilities, and the Port of Rotterdam was able to implement remediation measures to address them, thereby enhancing its cyber resilience.
Classification societies, such as Lloyd’s Register and DNV GL, also play a crucial role in enhancing cyber resilience in seaports. These organizations are responsible for classifying ships and offshore structures, and they have developed guidelines and standards for cyber security in the maritime industry. These guidelines and standards cover areas such as risk management, incident response, and the implementation of security controls.
By following these guidelines and standards, seaports can ensure that their systems and processes are in line with industry best practices. This can help to reduce the risk of a successful cyberattack, and ensure that the port is able to quickly respond to and recover from any incidents that do occur.
An example of a classification society’s role in enhancing cyber resilience is DNV GL’s launch of the first class notation for cyber safety in the maritime industry. DNV GL’s notation provides a framework for ship owners and operators to manage cyber risk in the maritime industry and to achieve compliance with international regulations.
Cyber companies and classification societies play vital roles in enhancing cyber resilience in seaports. By utilizing the expertise of these organizations, seaports can identify and address vulnerabilities in their systems, implement effective security measures, and ensure compliance with industry best practices. This can help to reduce the risk of a successful cyberattack and ensure that the port is able to quickly respond to and recover from any incidents that do occur.

References:
Lloyd’s Register. (n.d.). Cyber security in the maritime industry. Retrieved from https://www.lr.org/en/services/cyber-security-in-the-maritime-industry/
DNV GL. (2018). DNV GL launches world’s first class notation for cyber safety in the maritime industry. Retrieved from https://www.dnvgl.com/news/dnv-gl-launches-worlds-first-class-notation-for-cyber-safety-in-the-maritime-industry-9896
Port of Rotterdam. (n.d.). Cybersecurity Factory helps Port of Rotterdam to strengthen cyber security. Retrieved from https://www.portofrotterdam.com/news/cybersecurity-factory-helps-port-rotterdam-strengthen-cyber-security