The new laboratory features hardware and software systems built to help shipowners and operators combat the increasing cyber security risks of the maritime industry, in line with the guidelines set out by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

With the rise of smarter, more wired systems, IMO urges all shipping companies to prove that cyber threats have been part of the risk evaluation of each vessel's Safety Management Systems (SMS) since 2021.

“Cyber security is not a product but an evolving target which needs constant monitoring, managing and updating. As a single vendor offering operating technology (OT) and cyber security, we recognize that managing cyber security is a careful balance between risk, functionality and cost. The principles of cyber security must apply across all maritime stakeholders, from designers and builders, to owners, operators and crew; and from classification societies to universities and research bodies, government departments and insurers," said Ahmed Hassan, Head of Cyber Security, ABB Marine & Ports.

ABB Marine & Ports said its new laboratory will provide shipping companies with cyber security support at all stages of digitalization and has the flexibility to meet different levels of criteria for cyber security. While some companies may need only a one-off review of existing OT facilities, others may need a long-term plan with continuous support.

New services offered by the ABB Marine & Ports cyber security lab include:

• Reference architecture that targets network segmentation and segregation
• Enforcing security policies to zones and conduits
• Ability to monitor network traffic and act on vulnerabilities
• Ability to collect and manage security logs for the control system components
• ABB Ability Cyber Asset Inventory solution, which discovers and records system inventory, as well as notifies about vulnerabilities
• Event monitoring, which enables sending alerts to crew members as well as ABB Ability Collaborative Operations Centers worldwide.

Maritime Business World