Cyber Threats for Present and Future Commercial Shipping

Abstract

Cyber‐attacks are extremely dangerous for all operations relaying upon it‐technologies. Today shipping businesses cannot operated without processing large amounts of information. Four biggest shipping companies suffered break‐down in their operations after they were struck by malware. International Maritime Organization also was struck by cyber‐attack which took its website down. Maritime community noticed rise in cyber‐attacks on virtually all computer‐based systems on board of vessels. For manned vessels risks to safety of navigation are mitigated by presence of crew on board but remain financial and reputational losses. Introduction of remotely controlled and fully autonomous unmanned vessels will increase seriousness of threats. Cyber‐attack may severely hamper ship’s operability or even lead to complete loss of control. International community is developing several countermeasures to protect commercial shipping presently and in future.