The US Coast Guard and members of the Area Maritime Security Committee (AMSC) for the Port of New York and New Jersey, have collaborated to implement an innovative framework to enhance maritime cyber security and port resilience.
This comes in the wake of recent cyber attacks significantly affecting the maritime industry, including the NotPetya attack of 2017 which wiped out the global network of Danish shipping giant A.P. Moeller-Maersk, the 2018 targeted ransomware attack at the Port of San Diego, and the February 2019 disabling of a cargo vessel’s computer network while inbound to the Port of New York and New Jersey.
Cyberattacks are a 21st century reality and an ever-present operational risk that we must be ready for. We have witnessed first-hand the disruption that a cyber-incident can cause in our nation’s ports, and we’re committed to taking action to minimize those risks,
…said Jeff Milstein, of Vitol vessel operations, one of the world’s largest energy traders, and former chair of the AMSC.
To address the growing cyber security challenge, the region’s AMSC formed a cyber partnership bringing together leaders across industry sectors to lend their expertise to the problem.
Membership includes representatives from Rutgers University, Stevens Institute, and major segments of the maritime industry.
The end result of their work is an agreement by all members of the AMSC to share cyber threat information and participate in routine cyber exercises.
The plan also establishes a Cyber Advisory Committee, comprised of cyber and industry experts ready to assist in a cyber-incident response, and creates an awards program to recognize port partners who have taken proactive steps to make cybersecurity a top priority.
The financial sector has a vested interest in the maritime industry’s ability to deliver goods and services to the US ports. A disruption to cargo, oil and gas, or passenger ferries could potentially impact the markets, especially commodities. Raising awareness and helping prepare the Port partners to stay ahead of cyber threats benefits everyone, globally,
…said Frank Vesce, vice president of cybersecurity for Goldman Sachs and a member of the AMSC’s Executive Steering Committee.
The fact that port partners across different industry sectors came together to develop this plan speaks to the serious nature of the cyber threat and is a testament to the shared equities at stake. I’m proud of the proactive work this team is doing to address one of the most significant safety and security concerns facing our ports. The nature of the cyber threat demands that different segments of industry, government, and academia share information and work together to enhance cyber preparedness and resilience,
…noted Capt. Jason Tama, Coast Guard Captain of the Port and Federal Maritime Security Coordinator.
