Stamco Ship Management has signed a contract with Naval Dome to install the maritime cyber security specialist’ defence system aboard 55 Pure Car and Truck Carriers (PCTC). The company provides technical and commercial ship management services to NYK, MOL, K-Line, China Shipping, Hoegh Autoliners, WWL, Eukor and Glovis.
“Since our formation in 1997, our ethos has been to ensure our fleet operates safely and responsibly, to prevent injury, loss of life, and damage to property and the marine environment. We see cyber security as being very much an important component of that safety policy,” commented on this decision Stamco Ship Management’s Fleet Manager. “The decision to select Naval Dome was because its system has been designed specifically for shipboard application and requires little intervention from ships’ crews. It has proven itself in real-time operations.”
The security system will be installed onboard the vessels’ bridge, navigation, communication and machinery control systems to deliver maximum, multi-layered protection from any existing or future cyber security threat.
“We are delighted that Stamco has chosen Naval Dome to protect the critical systems aboard its fleet. The decision is indicative of the shipping industry’s growing realisation that if systems are not protected they will remain a soft target with easy pickings for the cyber-criminal. If ships go unprotected, hackers can easily penetrate critical systems, without raising any suspicion until it is too late,” said Itai Sela, Naval Dome CEO.
A security industry report from Verizon revealed earlier this month that ransomware is the most common type of malware, accounting for 39% of malware hacks. Attack are also moving into business-critical systems, which encrypt file servers or databases, inflicting more damage and commanding bigger ransom requests.
The effects of such an attack include massive financial losses, to which shipowners are reluctant to admit. “While this is understandable, an anonymous platform similar to the Confidential Incident Reporting Programme (CHIRP), whereby shipowners and operators can report security breaches, would help others avert attack and provide the industry with greater information on how best to mitigate against the increasingly advanced methods and systems hackers have at their disposal,” said Itai Sela.
