Pratik Bijlani –
On January 16, the Company of Master Mariners of India (CMMI) hosted its monthly meeting on the critical topic of maritime cybersecurity at Elegant Marine Services’ office in Mumbai. The hybrid meeting saw participation both online and in-person, with Capt Viraf Chichgar, General Manager and Dean of FMTI, delivering the keynote presentation titled Maritime Cyber Security – The Challenges Ahead.
The meeting commenced with an inaugural speech by Capt. M.P. Bhasin, Chairman of CMMI, who expressed gratitude to Capt. Chichgar for his insightful presentation and acknowledged his earlier contributions at the “Viksit Bharat” seminar. Capt. Bhasin also extended his appreciation to Elegant Marine Fleet Management and the attendees for their continued support of CMMI’s initiatives.
Capt. Chichgar’s keynote presentation explored the increasing prevalence of cyberattacks and the vulnerabilities in the maritime sector. He began by demonstrating cybersecurity practices, such as the distribution of relevant documents via secure QR codes, cautioning against scanning unverified links. “Cybersecurity isn’t just about protecting systems; it’s about managing the risks posed by human behavior, poor coding, and unregulated technology,” he emphasized.
Using real-world examples like the 2017 NotPetya attack, Capt. Chichgar highlighted the transition from traditional IT hacks to vulnerabilities in operational technology (OT), driven by the growing integration of IoT devices on ships. He underscored the dangers of outdated technology, pointing out that many systems onboard vessels are incompatible with modern cybersecurity protocols. “Ships are being retrofitted with technology that’s 20 months in development, yet it’s installed on engines that are 20 years old – creating vulnerabilities no one anticipated,” he noted.
The presentation also addressed the evolving sophistication of cyber threats, from AI-driven attacks to geopolitical exploitation. Challenges such as spoofing and jamming of navigation systems were discussed, with solutions like multi-frequency GNSS, redundancy systems, and encryption keys presented as effective yet underutilized measures.
Regulatory developments, including the implementation of cyber class notifications for new vessels from July 2024, were outlined. However, Capt. Chichgar lamented the slow industry progress and the limited coverage of cyber risks by insurers. He proposed proactive measures, including centralized systems with updated firewalls and anomaly detection tools, as essential steps toward resilience.
The session concluded with a compelling argument for adopting the cybersecurity framework of identifying, protecting, detecting, responding, and recovering. Capt. Chichgar emphasized that as vessels become increasingly digital, the responsibility for cybersecurity transitions from shipbuilders and classification societies to operators, making vigilance and preparedness imperative.
Following an engaging Q&A session, Capt. Kaustubh Pradhan, Warden of CMMI, delivered the vote of thanks, applauding the presentation for shedding light on the pressing need for maritime cybersecurity awareness.
CMMI’s meeting not only provided valuable insights into the challenges ahead but also emphasized the urgent need for industry-wide collaboration to safeguard maritime operations against escalating cyber threats.
Marex Media