Maritime appetite for cyber risk higher than other industries

(Posted on 20/11/24)

A new report published by DNV reveals that the majority (61%) of maritime professionals believe the industry should accept increased cyber risk from digitalization if it enables innovation and new technologies. The sector’s appetite to take on emerging risks arising from digital transformation is notably higher than other critical infrastructure industries including energy, manufacturing and healthcare.
The industry’s increasing appetite for cyber risk comes at a time when it must manage a growing volume of vulnerabilities. Seven in 10 (71%) of the almost 500 maritime professionals surveyed by DNV believe their organizations’ industrial assets are more vulnerable to cyber-attacks than ever before, while the same proportion (71%) say the leaders of their organizations consider cyber security to be the greatest risk their business faces. 
“In the maritime industry, we must match our ambitions for digital transformation and decarbonization with a steadfast commitment to securing our people, the vessels and the systems we rely on,” says Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, CEO Maritime at DNV. “Cyber-attacks represent a growing threat to the safety of the maritime industry today. We can innovate, progress, and take a lead in ensuring the resilience of our businesses and societies, but only if we truly manage cyber risk.”
Ship owners, ports, and the entire maritime value chain are increasingly reliant on ever more connected digital technologies as the industry transforms to become greener, safer, and more efficient. Maritime professionals point to advanced data analytics, the internet of things, AI & machine learning, high-bandwidth satellite communications, and autonomous operations as presenting the greatest opportunities for their businesses in the coming years. 
While interconnectivity and new technologies bring opportunities, they also make the industry more vulnerable to cyber-attacks. Maritime professionals are confident the industry is managing the risk. More than eight in 10 (83%) say their organization has a good cyber security posture, and seven in 10 (71%) are confident their organization would quickly get back to business as normal following a cyber-attack. 
Contributing to this confidence, almost three quarters of maritime professionals (73%) report that their organization is increasing cybersecurity spending compared to last year. A majority say their organization has prepared against potential outcomes such as asset downtime and disruption to operations, theft of sensitive data, physical injury or loss of life, and a grounded vessel.
While industry awareness of cyber risk and cybersecurity investment have grown rapidly, there are signs of a false sense of security within the maritime industry. Only half (53%) of those surveyed are confident their organization can demonstrate full visibility of supply chain vulnerabilities, a concern given the recent rise in cyber-attacks targeting supply chains. 

Latest News

Shipping takes major sustainable plastic step with toolkit from MACS

The Maritime Association for Clean Seas (MACS) has published a series of practical guides to enable... Read more

Shanghai climbs to second as Singapore retains top spot

Shanghai has officially become the world’s second-most prominent shipping hub, according to the... Read more

OceanScore sees growing port adoption of PortView

OceanScore, the maritime data and sustainability company helping shipping and ports turn regulatory... Read more

INTERCARGO highlights progress and priorities in bulk carrier safety

Bulk carrier safety continues to show steady long-term improvement, but the nature of risk facing seafarers... Read more

Norden raises full-year guidance following strong performance in dry cargo

Following stronger than expected operational performance in dry cargo, reduced costs associated with... Read more

Algoma announces refinancing of long-term debt

Algoma Central Corporation, a leading provider of marine transportation services, has announced that... Read more

Global maritime under threat from Fortibleed incident, warns Cydome

Major maritime, ports and energy companies have been identified by Cydome’s threat-intelligence... Read more

Crewing specialist expands global recruitment network with Indonesian seafarers

As the global shipping industry faces mounting concerns over future crew availability, Danica Crewing... Read more

IMO pauses evacuation in Strait of Hormuz following attack

Following an attack on a vessel in the Gulf of Oman, IMO has decided to temporarily pause its evacuation... Read more

Human cost of keeping world trade moving highlighted on Day of the Seafarer

Leading health and wellness platform OneCare Group is calling on shipping leaders to recognise the immense... Read more