Stavros Karamperidis from the University’s Department of International Shipping, Logistics and Operations (also Chairman of Devon and Cornwall CILT group and Member of the Ports, Maritime & Waterways Forum) started the presentations with an overview of the cyber threats that ports and maritime transport sectors face and how these have developed. He also demonstrated the need for ports and maritime transport to adopt the right risk assessment and mitigation strategies. He reminded attendees that the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) which itself has been the subject of a very recent cyber-attack has the requirement for cyber security to be addressed in safety management systems by January 2021.
Matthew Wilmshurst Senior Associate at law firm Holman Fenwick Willan reviewed the exposures and legal position of ports and other transport operators. He stressed the importance of contracts and good contract management and that contracts should be reviewed as when originally drafted and agreed most would not have given consideration to cyber risks.
Brian Warszona, Europe Cyber Growth Leader at Marsh insurance brokers highlighted the risks, the type and increasing frequency of losses that the insurance market is seeing related to cyber-attack in shipping and ports sectors. He also stressed the importance of companies carrying out regular risk assessments and risk reviews with their insurance brokers to ensure that the insurance purchased remains fit for purpose.
The session closed with a lively Q&A session and dialogue between the speakers and the webinar attendees. One of the main takeaways from the session is that ports and maritime transport sectors need to take action as soon as possible, as cyber-criminals have identified the lack of knowledge and preparedness against cyber-attacks in the sector so they are exploring how future attacks could be made. In addition, ports and maritime transport sector should prepare for a cyber-attack, as it is only a matter of time before most companies operating in that sector will become cyber victims if they take no action. Preparation is key.
We would also like to thank Erin Meehan, from CILT, for arranging and ensuring the smooth running of this successful event.
Brian Sullivan and Dr Stavros Karamperidis
Ports, Maritime and Waterways Forum