Analysis of software threats to the automatic identification system

Abstract

Automatic Identification System (AIS) represents an important improvement in the fields of maritime security and vessel tracking. It is used by the signatory countries to the SOLAS Convention and by private and public providers. Its main advantage is that it can be used as an additional navigation aids, especially in avoiding collision at sea and in search and rescue operations. The present work analyses the functioning of the AIS System and the ways of exchanging data among the users. We also study one of the vulnerabilities of the System that can be abused by malicious users. The threat itself is analysed in detail in order to provide insight into the very process from the creation of a program to its implementation.