The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) signed two memorandum of understanding (MoUs) at the Accelerating Decarbonisation and Digitalisation Conference, during the Singapore Maritime Week 2024.
The first MoU, signed between MPA, Estonia-based Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech), Foundation CR14, Singapore Maritime Institute (SMI), and Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) aims to enhance cybersecurity in the maritime industry, in particular joint cybersecurity research and development, test bedding, and skills training projects.
The second MOU, signed between MPA, Singapore Shipping Association (SSA), Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) and SUTD aims to improve collaboration and information sharing on cybersecurity among maritime companies, develop maritime cybersecurity capabilities, and strengthen the cybersecurity talent pipeline.
TalTech and SUTD will collaborate on research into the role of human factors in maritime cybersecurity, the related risks and mitigation strategies. They will also study the risk to port and ships’ digital systems posed by the irresponsible use of artificial intelligence (AI), and the substantial opportunities presented for cyber defenders through use of AI-enabled technological solutions.
The MoU also seeks to develop student and academia exchange programmes. The universities will explore integration of the universities’ cyber simulation centres to expand the representations of networks, systems, and applications, which can be simulated.
Aside from drawing on the shipping industry’s inputs in the development and use of the MariOT testbed to validate new cyber-security technologies, the MoU also aims to develop broad-based and specialised training curriculum for the industry, set training standards, and use simulation technologies to accelerate learning and skills acquisition.
As informed, the MoU industry partners will create more career opportunities for cybersecurity talents through career conversion for mid-career professionals and other talent attraction initiatives for youths, including expanding cybersecurity-related curriulum at SIT and SUTD to include maritime operational technology (OT) systems.
The launch of the MaritimeSG Shipping CyberSafe Scorecard, another initiative under the Maritime Cybersecurity Roundtable developed by SSA and supported by MPA, was announced by Dr Amy Khor, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Transport and Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment.
Developed according to the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework and industry feedback, the Scorecard is tailored to vessel operations. Ship owners and operators, including SMEs, can now perform self-assessments through a portal. The self-assessment will help maritime companies determine the cybersecurity maturity level of their fleet operations, identify potential weaknesses and enable early actions to be taken to mitigate cyber risks. More than 30 maritime companies have completed their self-assessments as part of SSA’s pilot efforts prior to this launch.
Furthermore, recently, the ABS (American Bureau of Shipping) Regulatory News report provided the necessary guidance document introduced to enhance cybersecurity measures and reporting requirements for breaches, suspicious activity, transportation security incidents and cyber incidents.
