Cyber Security: What You Need to Know Now

Cyber security is at the top of risk manager’s lists in today’s world, especially with multiple recent cyberattacks within the Marine Transportation System. The nature of maritime operations entails many touch points which makes the industry vulnerable to cyber-attacks at many different angles. Older systems and technologies that have been utilized within the marine industry for years are not designed to defend against the current malevolent activity that threaten mariners daily.

Today it is more important than ever that teams are taking the necessary actions to protect their systems and equipment to avoid vulnerabilities and exploitation. The Biden Administration has issued an executive order to improve cyber security. The order highlights the importance of the private sector continuously adapting to the ever-changing threat environment in conjunction with the federal government.

Our panel of experts covered numerous topics and issues related to cybersecurity during the webinar but were not able to address them all. Thankfully, one of our panelists took the time to do just that. For even more information on how to protect yourself, your team and your organization, check out Your questions answered: What you need to know now about maritime cybersecurity HERE.

Speakers

Ford Wogan, Partner, Jones Walker LLP’s Maritime Practice Group

Ford Wogan is a partner in Jones Walker LLP’s Maritime Practice Group, where he focuses on maritime and oilfield litigation.

Ford represents clients in a broad range of disputes, with a concentration on maritime personal injury/death and oilfield defense, including claims under General Maritime Law, the Jones Act, the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, and the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act.

Ford also handles a wide range of issues and claims involving property damage, marine insurance coverage, limitation of liability, oil pollution response and liability, environmental damage, vessel collisions and allisions, vessel seizures, and cargo and contract disputes. Ford has extensive experience litigating various matters in state and federal courts, including multiple trials at the federal level.

Ford frequently speaks on cybersecurity risks affecting the maritime industry and was a co-author of Jones Walker’s Maritime Cybersecurity Survey which reflects the responses of 126 senior executives, chief information and technology officers, non-executive security and compliance leaders, and key managers from U.S. maritime companies and confirms that the evolving technologies deployed by the industry to increase efficiencies and competitiveness present significant cybersecurity risks.

Jarle Blomhoff, Group Leader - Cyber Safety & Security Group, DNV

Jarle Blomhoff leads DNV’s Cyber Safety & Security Group, with the responsibility of extending the Ship Classification support for the Offshore and Maritime industry when it comes to new digital technologies such as cyber security, software reliability, data infrastructure and autonomous vessels.

Over the last 15 years, Jarle has worked with offshore and shipping companies to improve safety, security and efficiency of their design and operation. Jarle has a MSc. in Engineering with specialization in Navigation, Guidance and Control of Ships from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology.

Zac Staples, Founder & CEO, Fathom5

Prior to creating Fathom5 Zac spent 22-years in the United States Navy as a surface officer specializing in electronic warfare. Zac's final tour was Director of the Center for Cyber Warfare at the Naval Postgraduate School where he led inter-disciplinary research teams that explored cyber capability development and invented maritime artificial intelligence tools and methodologies for understanding shipboard electronic security. While at the Naval Postgraduate School, Zac also created HACKtheMACHINE, nicknamed the “Blue Angels for Geeks”, which seeks to inspire a new generation of technical talent to apply their skills to national security challenges. Zac holds a B.S. in engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy, a Masters in National Security Affairs from the Naval Postgraduate School, and is a distinguished graduate of the Naval War College.

Hunter McWilliams, Founder, Coast Guard Cyber Command’s Maritime Cyber Readiness Branch

Hunter McWilliams is a founding member of the Coast Guard Cyber Command’s Maritime Cyber Readiness Branch (MCRB), a team established to serve as the Coast Guard’s experts for all things Marine Transportation System (MTS) Cybersecurity. MCRB provides assistance to Coast Guard investigators, examiners, and inspectors in cyber-incident response, training and guidance to field personnel, and critical stakeholder notifications of emerging threats in the MTS. Hunter McWilliams has a combined 15 years experience as marine safety and cybersecurity professional. His cybersecurity background focuses on Industrial Control Systems, and in his role with MCRB, he is able to combine his breadth of experience in maritime safety and security inspections & investigations with his cybersecurity expertise to help raise the competency, capabilities, and consistency of Coast Guard oversight of MTS cybersecurity.

Moderator

Jeremiah Karpowicz, Group Editorial Director, WorkBoat

Jeremiah Karpowicz is the Group Editorial Director for WorkBoat. He has created articles, videos, newsletters, ebooks and plenty more for various communities as a contributor and editor.

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Fathom5 is a security-first industrial technology company. ​We enable heavy industry to operate more efficiently yielding increased profits, quality, safety and security.​ "We work to save the world @ the intersection of AI & grease.”