The maritime industry's reliance on computers and its increasing interconnectivity within the sector makes it highly vulnerable to cyber incidents. Cyber poses a threat to all parts of the shipping sector; Cyber risks can be defined as the risk of loss or damage or disruption from failure of electronic systems and technological networks.
With the number of cyber attacks targeting the shipping industry on the rise, TT Club and worked with the UK Club and industry experts to produce the following guide for Members on how they can help prevent losses and disruption due to malicious cyber activity.
Few in the international freight supply chain can be unaware of the 'NotPetya' cyber event that struck at the end of June 2017. The repercussions should have caused organisations to review every existing assessment of the risk exposures arising from cyber activity.
An important aspect of emergency response planning is understanding your own limitations, together potentially with those of the responding or other external agencies. All this is part of thorough risk assessment, effective plan documentation and execution.
Speaking at the 6th Med Ports Conference in Livorno (Italy) last month, TT Club's Andrew Huxley highlighted that cyber activity is a daily operational risk which needs to be addressed urgently.
Recent actions in the maritime sector in relation to containing cyber risks offer some useful lessons for the remainder of the intermodal supply chain. Embrace and apply the principles accordingly.
