Risk expert: Maersk cyberattack ‘final straw’ to protect public
In the wake of the June 27 cyberattack on Dutch shipping giant A.P. Moller-Maersk, any vessel operator that isn’t seriously assessing and taking steps to minimize security risks is being reckless, according to a maritime industry cybersecurity expert.
The Petya ransomware attack on Maersk and other companies’ computer systems was “the final straw” for waking up operators of all sizes to the cyber risks they face, said Dean Shoultz, chief technology officer for MarineCFO Inc., a Houma, La.-based compliance and risk management specialist.
“It’s no longer OK to say, ‘we’re talking about it.’ The time is here. Now. What happens if ransomware takes down your software and your navigation system goes down and you run aground and a life is lost?” Shoultz said. “If a hacker truly wanted to create damage, they could do it at the right moment in time. From a legal standpoint, not taking steps to protect the public is reckless and opening yourself up to indefensible lawsuits.”
Maersk, the world’s largest container shipping company, was forced to reroute ships to alternate destinations after its information technology systems were targeted by hackers. The company was unable to dock and unload containers at some of the 76 ports where it operates, and it was forced to suspend its main platforms for taking orders for six days. Other prominent companies also were targeted, among them WPP and FedEx.
Some vessel operators have started taking cyberthreats more seriously in the past few years and improvements have been percolating, but far more action is required for an industry that has unique — and growing — security risks.
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