By selecting UK flag, you have now set your site language to English. If you'd like to change your language preference again, simply click on one of the other flags.

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こちら Japan flag を選択して頂くと、言語設定が日本語に切り替わります。設定変更後は以下の機能が利用可能です。

  • 日本語版ウェブサイトへのクイックアクセスが可能となり、日本語の刊行物をご覧頂けます。

  • 日本語版が閲覧可能な刊行物や記事については、日本語が優先表示されます。表示言語については Japan flag をご参照下さい。

閉じる 言語設定を切り替えたい場合には、国旗のマークをクリックして下さい。

By selecting Japan flag, you have now set your language to Japanese. This has several benefits, including:

  • Providing quick access to our Japan page, which collates all our Japanese content in one place.

  • Ensures that content is presented to you in Japanese first, if we have an article, publication or webpage available in Japanese. Look out for the Japan flag indicators across the site.

Close If you’d like to change your language preferences again, simply click on one of the other flags.

点击选择 China flag,可将网站语言设置为中文。这能帮助您:

  • 快速访问我们的中国区页面,该页面将有网站内容的中文汇总。

  • 在我们的文章、出版物或者网页有中文版本提供的情况下,确保首先向您展示的是中文版本的内容。您可关注站点上的 China flag 按键。

关闭 点击任意其他国旗,可切换您的语言偏好。

By selecting China flag, you have now set your language to Chinese. This has several benefits, including:

  • Providing quick access to our China page, which collates all our Chinese content in one place.

  • Ensures that content is presented to you in Chinese first, if we have an article, publication or webpage available in Chinese. Look out for the China flag indicators across the site.

Close If you’d like to change your language preferences again, simply click on one of the other flags.
Cyber Security Masthead

Cyber Security in Shipping

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Are you prepared against cyber risks? Accidents, financial loss, business disruption and damage to your reputation can all happen as a result of electronic systems failing or being attacked.

Discover how cyber risks can affect P&I cover, how you can improve your cyber resilience and read our latest guidance, articles and expert opinion relating to cyber security.

Want to know more?

Contact our cyber security experts Colin Gillespie or Adrian Durkin on +44 191 232 5221


Cyber Security FAQ's

What is cyber security?

The application of technologies, processes and controls to protect systems, networks, devices and data from cyber-attacks. Cyber security is put in place to reduce the risk of cyber-attacks and protect critical information against unauthorised exploitation. The UK government has recently issued a warning of an increased likelihood of cyber attacks from Russia, with the National Cyber Security Centre urging businesses to ensure their cybersecurity measures are up to date. There are also concerns that shipping companies providing vital food, medical supplies and goods will be targeted. You can find out more on this fast moving situation in our dedicated expertise area Ukraine Conflict. 

Does my P&I insurance cover cyber risks?

While many insurance policies specifically exclude losses or liabilities’ arising from cyber risks, International Group P&I cover does not. This means that Members benefit from the same level of P&I cover should a claim arise due to a cyber risk, as they would from such a claim arising from a traditional risk. As always, cover is subject to the Club rules. Any P&I cover can be prejudiced by the failure to take reasonable steps to prevent foreseeable loss or liability, and as more and more potential cyber risks are being identified all clubs will expect to see operation of sensible and properly managed cyber risk policies and systems both ashore and on vessels if a cyber risk leads to a claim.

How can I reduce the risks of cyberattacks?

Each company must take steps to reduce the risk of cyberattacks to minimise the potential impact on their business operations. There are two types of responses; the technical response and the procedural response. To find out more take a look at North’s guidelines to ensure your contingency plans are in place to deal with the raft of today’s potential threats. Organisations must have a robust cybersecurity policy in place, where staff are trained and the rules and procedures are followed. It is unlikely that all systems can ever be 100% technically secure, so developing cyber resilience is the key to managing cyber risk. An approach which welds resistance, response and learning from previous cyber attacks across the shipping industry will lead to better resilience.

What are the cyber risks in shipping?

In a shipping context a cyber risk may be the failure of an onboard GPS receiver due to a fault with the equipment, extending right through to catastrophic scenarios of vessel systems being attacked and the vessel being disabled, deliberately run aground or taken over by malicious third parties. This could be caused through  outdated or missing antivirus software and protection from malware, shipboard computer networks which lack boundary protection measures and segmentation of networks, inadequate access controls for third parties including contractors and service providers, and safety-critical equipment or systems always connected with the shoreside. At North, our team of cybersecurity specialists will guide you on the process of creating a safer environment. 

How can I identify cyber threats?

The IMO’s guidelines on Maritime Cyber Risk Management identify four groups who may give rise to a threat. They are activists (including disgruntled employees), criminals, opportunists (they like the challenge of breaking in) and states or terrorists. Each has different motivations and objectives. Once a threat and their motives have been identified, it’s important to assess the risk, look at how that risk can be reduced, contingency plan and implement a formal response, recovery and investigation. Read our ‘Cyber Risks in Shipping’ Briefing for more detail. 

How important is cybersecurity in the maritime industry?

Cybersecurity is crucial to ensure the safety of the crew, vessel, cargo and even ports. There’s already been a number of examples which demonstrate that criminals and others have already successfully targeted shipping companies via electronic systems. Technology and connectedness will play an increasing role in shipping and this creates opportunities for criminals and others. Shipping companies wishing to reduce risks to protect operational efficiency and profitably should therefore take steps to make their organisations less vulnerable to cyber risks.



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