zoomImage Courtesy; DHS

A joint maritime industry group comprised of industry bodies has issued the second edition of The Guidelines on Cyber Security Onboard Ships, which includes practical advice on how to combat cyber attacks.

The guide includes information on insurance issues and how to effectively segregate networks, as well as new practical advice on managing the ship to shore interface, and how to handle cyber security during port calls and when communicating with the shore side.

The chapters on ‘contingency planning’ and ‘responding to and recovering from cyber incidents’ have been rewritten to reflect the fact that the guidelines are aimed specifically at ships and the remote conditions prevailing if a ship’s defenses have been breached, according to BIMCO.

The guidelines have also been aligned with the recommendations given in the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) guidelines on cyber risk management which were adopted in June 2017.

A new subchapter on insurance has been added, looking at coverage after a cyber incident as this is an important part of the risk assessment which shipowners should now take into consideration. Finally, the annex, which gives more details about networks, has been rewritten based on real experience of shipowners segregating networks on their ships.

“Cyber security is certainly a hot topic for all of us now, and this latest guidance includes valuable information, applying a risk-based approach to all of the areas of concern, highlighting how an individual’s unwitting actions might expose their organisation,” Angus Frew, BIMCO Secretary General and CEO, commented.

The document comes days after Danish shipping giant Maersk was hit by cyber attack Petya which affected its multiple business units.

The joint industry working group members which compiled the guidelines include BIMCO, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (INTERCARGO), International Association of Independent Tanker Owners (INTERTANKO), International Union of Maritime Insurance (IUMI) and Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF).