Maritime Cyber Threats research group

Investigating marine cyber threats and researching solutions
Ship with tugs and a launch with graphical overlay
As a Tier 1 National UK threat, a maritime cyber-attack can cost companies millions of pounds and have a negative impact on safety and the environment. As the world heavily depends on maritime operations, we at the University of Plymouth have been researching maritime cyber-threats as few organisations have the capability, connections and facilities to do so.
This group is uniquely placed to make significant contributions in maritime cyber-security and brings together leading-edge multidisciplinary research and practical expertise from across the University and beyond. This group has various funded projects for academic research, but also engages in consulting and other collaborations with industry and government internationally.
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Research objectives

  • Compiling a body of knowledge for maritime cyber-threats.
  • Vulnerability and risk analysis for existing ship-based systems (IT&OT).
  • Holistic scenario-based training and cross-discipline visualisation.
  • Supply chain vulnerabilities for maritime systems and operations.
  • Cyber-security for autonomous vessels, ports, and offshore structures.
  • Policy changes for secure standards and training for next gen mariners.
  • Understanding psychological perceptions of, and responses to, threats.
  • Develop effective recovery strategies in the event of an attack.
  • Analyse cyber-physical and ship to shore/space/ship interactions.
Our cross-discipline research includes knowledge in:
  • cybersecurity, communications and network research
  • maritime policy, law, business, and economics
  • system penetration testing, audit testing
  • data visualisation, augmented/virtual reality
  • hardware design and circuitry
  • artificial intelligence (AI) machine learning (ML)
  • maritime/naval history, 20th/21st century literature
  • clean maritime and autonomous solutions
  • navigation and maritime science, mariner training
  • psychology.
Find out more about our research: publications, news, and talks

Key projects

Significant research with academia, government, and industry.

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Cyber-SHIP Lab
The Cyber-SHIP Lab has been funded for three years with a view to it then becoming self-sustaining, and will address a number of complex and interlinked issues affecting the maritime industry.
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Cyber-Resilience of Offshore Wind Networks (CROWN)
CROWN will develop the world’s first dedicated offshore wind cyber security research, test and development facility, supporting the investigation of offshore wind technology and control networks focusing on cyber vulnerability.
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Maritime Cyber Risk Assessment (MaCRA)
The Maritime Cyber Risk Assessment framework will enable international shipping operators and insurers to rapidly assess individual ship’s or entire fleets’ unique cyber risk profiles.
Cyber security concept - image courtesy of Getty Images
Cyber preparedness actions for a holistic approach and awareness raising in the MARitime logistics supply chain (Cyber-MAR)
To develop an innovative cybersecurity simulation environment for accommodating the peculiarities of the maritime sector while, with the view to unlock the value of the use of cyber range in the maritime logistics value chain.
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Secure X Trustworthy AI Navigation (SeXTANt)
This project aims to offer a comprehensive, holistic view of securing MASS AI and to effectively communicate practical solutions to the relevant stakeholders.
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Secure AI within Marine Autonomy Systems (SAIMAS)
This project aims to enhance the cyber resilience of AI in marine autonomous systems by recommending best practices throughout the lifecycle of marine AI – from development and training to deployment.

Cyber-SHIP Lab symposium 2024
International Maritime Organization, London

13–14 November, 2024

The 2024 symposium will build on the success of the previous symposia that attracted hundreds of delegates and a wide range of expert international speakers.
This year's event, staged in close collaboration with the IMO, addresses 'Directions and challenges in maritime cyber, current and future'.
Find out more and register for the Cyber-SHIP Lab symposium
Marine navigational officer is using laptop or notebook at sea on ship or boat. Cyber-ship maritime.

Interview and scenarios

Professor Kevin Jones comments on the issue of Maritime Cyber Security, the very real threats this poses to maritime economies, and the vectors, methods, and motives of the attacks. Since 2016, we have used scenarios to house a number of research findings to better convey our findings (Previous examples: False AIS, Ransomware).
More recently we have built scenarios for the UK, Australia, India, USA, and Singapore and presented these globally in various events and workshops. These scenarios encompass our research from the human element, cyber-security, engineering, data visualisation, and more.

Lab culture

Cyber-SHIP and its researches are embedded into the wider University in order to provide cybersecurity resilience to marine and maritime technology more broadly. This includes protection for autonomous vessels, clean maritime initiatives, and more. Apart from the staff below, we are also happy to welcome visiting researchers, interns, master students, undergraduate students, and even work experience students from around the world. We promote a high-preforming, open, and diverse research culture.
A list of previous visitors is currently being created and will be linked here shortly. If you have an interest in being a visiting researcher please reach out.

Related news

More related news

Almost 300 leading global figures in maritime cyber security met at the IMO Main Hall to discuss some of the key cyber challenges facing the global shipping industry

Related content from the University

Past visitors and projects

Some of the research assistants, research fellows, visiting researchers, work experience students and interns who have worked with the research group.

Thank you Dr Kimberly Tam and your great team for a productive and insightful week at the Cyber-SHIP Lab.

Zuzanna, work experience student, 2024

I was eager to explore the research carried out in this field. This opportunity provided hands-on experience with varied tools that developed my understanding of various types of cyber-attacks and offered invaluable knowledge.

Dennis-Stefan, micro-intern 2024

Staff profiles

Marine Biology induction image of a Jellyfish. Courtesy of Shutterstock.