• Maggie MacAlpine
• May 21, 2025
• No Comments

The maritime industry is undergoing a significant digital transformation, integrating advanced technologies to enhance efficiency and connectivity. However, this digital evolution brings forth escalating cybersecurity risks that cannot be overlooked.

The Rising Tide of Cyber Threats

A recent report by Thetius highlights the increasing vulnerability of maritime operations to cyber threats, while the Allianz Risk Barometer 2025 identifies cyber risk as the foremost global threat, surpassing traditional concerns like natural disasters and supply chain disruptions. 

This report titled, “The Lifecycle Dilemma: Navigating Cybersecurity Risks Across Designing, Constructing and Operating a Vessel” by Thetius, CyberOwl, and HFW underscores the cybersecurity challenges present at every stage of a vessel’s lifecycle. 

Key Findings from the Report

• Design and Construction Gaps: Only 17% of shipyards possess adequate in-house cybersecurity expertise to design and construct cyber-secure vessels.
  
• OEM Shortcomings: A mere 10% of Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) integrate security-by-design into their systems, leaving shipowners exposed to potential risks.
  
• Operational Vulnerabilities: Many shipowners lack clear cybersecurity guidelines upon vessel delivery, further compounding security challenges.
  
• Ransomware Concerns: In 2023, 14% of shipping stakeholders admitted to paying a ransom, with an average payout of $3.2 million. Although this number dropped to 7% in the following year, the threat remains significant.
  

Charting a Course Towards Enhanced Cybersecurity

To bolster cybersecurity in maritime operations, stakeholders should consider the following strategies:

• Integrate Security from the Start: Embed cybersecurity measures during the design and construction phases of vessels.
  
• Enhance Training and Awareness: Provide comprehensive cybersecurity training for crew members and shore-based personnel.
  
• Implement Robust Monitoring Systems: Deploy advanced threat detection and response systems to monitor and mitigate potential cyber threats in real-time.
  
• Establish Clear Guidelines: Develop and enforce clear cybersecurity protocols and guidelines across all operational stages.
  

A Final Note

As maritime operations grow increasingly digitized, they become more attractive to cybercriminals targeting weak points across complex, globally distributed systems. The challenge isn’t just securing a vessel—it’s securing the digital ecosystem that supports its operation, from ports to procurement to cloud-based logistics.

Seceon helps organizations across industries—including those with hybrid and distributed infrastructure—gain centralized visibility, detect threats in real time, and automate response across IT environments. While not maritime-specific, Seceon’s unified, AI-driven threat detection and response platform can support the broader digital resilience goals of stakeholders in the shipping ecosystem.