Cyberattacks are on the rise in the global maritime sector
The shipping industry is increasingly experiencing cyberattacks and the war in Ukraine has increased attacks from politically motivated state actors, according to security firm OWN, co-editor of “ Panorama of the maritime cyber threat 2022 with the France Cyber Maritime association.
The maritime sector targeted by cyberattacks
“Nearly 90 notable and public cybersecurity incidents were detected in 2022 in the maritime and port sector globally. An increase of 21% compared to 2021, and 235% compared to 2020”says the report. “This is the tip of the iceberg because the majority of incidents are not declared or detected”explained Xavier Rebour, director of France Cyber Maritime during a press conference, not to mention the numerous attempts, phishing campaigns and others.
Ports, shipowners, ships, offshore installations, logisticians…. There are a very large number of targets and “an extreme interweaving of all the actors”emphasizes Xavier Rebour, who recalls that “The strength of a chain depends on its weakest link “.
“A lot of attacks target the supply chain”, explains Barbara Louis-Sidney, head of CERT (the alert and reaction center) of OWN. The most emblematic attack in the maritime sector is the one that hit Maersk in June 2017, paralyzing this major player in container transport.
The influence of the war in Ukraine
In addition to the traditional motivations of the attackers – ransomware remains predominant – the year 2022 has been marked by the influence of the war in Ukraine. “The typology of acts has evolved, some actors like Killnet [groupe de hackers considérés comme agissant pour la Russie]were interested in symbolic infrastructures for States, such as maritime infrastructures”explains Barbara Louis-Sidney.
The trend will undoubtedly increase with the persistence of the war and the rise of international tensions of all kinds. “The year 2023 will remain more than ever closely linked to the geopolitical context and the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, and could thus see cyber threats strengthen given the increased digitization of the sector”according to Olivier Revenu, CEO of OWN.
Growing automation poses the threat of buildings spiraling out of control in the open sea. “There have already been boats blocked at the quay by cyberattacks, but not yet at sea. We are working on this type of scenario”explains Xavier Rebour. “It’s not science fiction, but we’re not there yet”.
