Adrian Johnson
TLDR:
– The newly established International Maritime Cyber Security Organization (IMCSO) aims to improve cybersecurity risk assessment in the maritime industry.
– IMCSO has implemented a certification program for security consultants and created a professional register to help shipping companies hire qualified professionals.
Article Summary:
The International Maritime Cyber Security Organization (IMCSO) has recently started its operations with the goal of enhancing cybersecurity risk assessment within the maritime industry. This initiative comes in response to the increasing cyber risks faced by the sector and seeks to accelerate and improve cybersecurity measures onboard vessels. IMCSO has introduced a comprehensive certification program for security consultants, along with creating a professional register to aid shipping companies in recruiting qualified professionals. This move aims to ensure that the maritime industry can identify and employ competent cybersecurity personnel suited for its needs.
Moreover, IMCSO will validate report outputs to ensure consistency and accuracy, storing them in a central database accessible to authorities and third parties. By leveraging this approach, port authorities and insurers can make more informed decisions by determining the cyber risk level of vessels. The organization’s chairman and CEO, Campbell Murray, highlighted the cybersecurity mandate imposed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), mandating shipping firms to implement and regularly audit cybersecurity measures to safeguard their onboard safety management systems.
IMCSO’s Maritime Standard cyber certification program offers training in four domains, enabling cyber workers to specialize in offensive security practices, maritime cybersecurity, secure design, and cloud security. The organization also aims to alleviate the pressure on ship captains, who may lack the time and expertise to accompany cyber inspectors, by facilitating consistent and suitable testing within the security industry.
Furthermore, IMCSO plans to maintain an authorized supplier registry listing approved cybersecurity suppliers in the maritime sector, streamlining the recruitment process for shipping companies. By providing a standardized vessel-by-vessel dataset, IMCSO intends to monitor cyber risk trends and update key stakeholders on cybersecurity matters. The organization ultimately seeks to simplify the risk assessment process, support more accurate cyber insurance coverage, and enhance the industry’s resilience to cyber threats.
Overall, IMCSO’s initiative represents a significant step towards improving cybersecurity standards in the maritime industry, ensuring that shipping companies can access qualified cybersecurity professionals, streamline cybersecurity testing procedures, and enhance overall industry resilience against cyber risks.
