Shipping’s innate secrecy is laying it open to greater risk of cyber attacks, a survey carried on this site suggests.
Voting in the latest MarPoll, an online quarterly survey for Maritime CEO, closes tomorrow. 89.9% of the more than 600 people to have voted so far think shipping lines should be sharing more information about cyber crime attacks in order to mitigate risks for the industry as a whole.
“The industry cannot possibly understand the full capability and reach of the cyber-criminal networks without sharing information on breeches. Reporting should be mandatory,” commented one reader.
“Far more transparency and overall data collection is needed,” said another voter.
Someone else said that governments, authorities and insurance companies should also be sharing this information, stressing: “The lead has to be taken from the top down.”
As to how to go about sharing such sensitive information, one reader suggested a centralised clearinghouse.
The issue of cyber crime was addressed at last month’s Danish Maritime Forum, although it was clear the industry was divided on how to go about sharing information.
The cyber crime question is one of eight t topical issues posed. Results will be printed in the next issue of Maritime CEO magazine. Voting closes tomorrow – it takes just two minutes and there is no registration. To vote, click here.
Just like maritime accident reporting and piracy/armed robbery at sea incidents, shipping generally reluctant to air their dirty laundry by sharing information on what may be perceived as an issue that may lead to insurance premium rises or failing to be covered by insurance due to training or personnel mistakes. Unfortunately, transparency remains a problem within the shipping world.