Course Introduction

Vessel navigation and propulsion systems, cargo handling and container tracking systems at ports and on board ships, and shipyard inventories and automated processes, are all controlled using software that is fundamental to smooth running operations. Highly-skilled, non-ethical hackers continue to demonstrate their ability to penetrate systems that are used by the maritime industry, with potentially disastrous consequences. Events over the last four years continue to suggest that these types of systems are growing increasingly vulnerable to these forms of attack, resulting in extremely costly results for the sector.

Aim of the Course

This course is designed to provide the user, who is at any level in the company or on board ship, with a firm grounding in Maritime Cyber Security issues, and to provide seafarers the basic knowledge and training to enable them to safeguard on board equipment vulnerable to cyber security threats, as well as to introduce measures within the shipboard safety management system (SMS) to ensure that vessels are operationally resilient to cyber risks.

This course sets out practicable Best-Practice Guidance on areas such as:

• General knowledge of Cyber Threats and how they are effective, including real-world case studies to put context to the learning.
• Best practice ‘Cyber Hygiene’: The steps we can take to avoid falling foul of an attack.
• Spotting a threat or an attack in progress and what to do in the event of security incidents.
• Developing and following a Cyber Security Assessment and Plan.
• Awareness and application of the mitigation measures that are most appropriate.
• Knowledge of the correct structures, roles, responsibilities and processes that facilitate a sound Cyber Defence.

Target Audience

No prerequisites are required for ship’s personnel to get entry on to this course, which can be delivered on board ship or ashore. This online course has been created to give staff and crew of all levels a firm grounding in Cyber Security. The course can be utilised as an intrinsic part of an organisation’s overall risk management and is intended to be used by any seafarer. Additionally, the course can be taken by those with accountability for protecting the ships (both when underway and when at port), crew, other personnel, cargo, cargo transport units and ship’s stores from the risk of a security-related incident. This course is aimed at:

• Anyone of any rank or capacity, working on or around a ship.
• This course can also be useful for any crew or staff.

Subjects

• Information and Operational Technology, IT and OT Systems Onboard
• Common Threats and Vulnerabilities
• Best Practices and Basic Cyber-Hygiene
• Cyber Security and Safety Management System (SMS)
• Case Studies: Real-World Examples of Successful Cyber Attacks