A new report by Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty has found that cyber awareness in the maritime sector is more-or-less nonexistent.
In their Safety and Shipping Review 2015, Allianz noted that “dependence on e-navigation, the interconnectivity of the maritime sector, the current low levels of cyber security awareness and – longer term – the prospect of unmanned ships, means ships and ports could become enticing targets for hackers in future.” Furthermore, the report found that “a cyber-attack could result in a total loss, leading to substantial insurance claims for hull, cargo and protection & indemnity underwriters. It could even involve multiple vessels from the same company.”
The sector is considered to be significantly vulnerable to cyber threats especially as crew size gets smaller, ships get larger and dependence on automation increases. Although there have been few instances of cyber attacks targeting the industry, 90% of global trade is carried out at sea, making it an appealing target.