IMO PREPAREDNESS ON CYBER RISK MANAGEMENT IN MARITIME DOMAIN.

Byline: NAGHMANA ZAFAR

I n order to advance ports and shipping, and make it more competitive, states and maritime organisations have relayed greatly on communication technology and digitalization of maritime operations. However, the risk of cyber attacks has been identified by International Maritime Organization (IMO) as the one of the key non traditional threat to the safe and secure maritime domain in contemporary era. According to the IMO, maritime cyber risk refers to "a measure of the extent to which a technology asset could be threatened by a potential circumstance or event, which may result in shipping-related operational, safety or security failures as a consequence of information or systems being corrupted, lost or compromised."

It is believed that maritime transportation is operationally resilient to cyber risks, therefore IMO has issued a series of regulations and guidelines for cyber risk management in maritime domain. The very first guidelines on maritime cyber risk management referred as MSC.1/Circ. 1526 were issues by IMO on 1st June 2016. Maritime Safety Committee of IMO approved, during the 96th session, the "Interim guidelines on maritime cyber risk management" in referred circular. Later, on 2and3 June 2017, during the 98th session of the Maritime Safety Committee, it was emphasised that all organisations should focus on cyber risk management for ships operations in accordance with the objectives and functional requirements of the ISM Code. In this regard, in July 2017, on recommendations of Facilitation Committee and the Maritime Safety Committee, IMO approved non-compulsory "Guidelines on Maritime Cyber Risk Management", though an official circular MSCFAL.1/Circ.3.

It was particularly referred to ship owners/ shipping com panies and superseded the interim guidelines contained in MSC.1/Circ.1526.

Aim of these initiatives is to promote safe and secure shipping and port operations. It is pertinent to highlight that realising the growing trend of digitalization in maritime transportation, some other global maritime agencies have also responded to this emerging challenge through issuing notifications and guidelines. BIMCO, CLIA, ICS, INTERCARGO, INTERMANAGER, INTERTANKO and World Shipping Council have also contributed on cyber security in maritime domain through comprehensive briefs. These guidelines also provide awarenessabout dealing with cyber risks, including recommendations to safeguard shipping from current and...

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