Top 5 maritime cyber threats – and how to stop them

The maritime industry moves over 80% of the world’s trade, but as vessels, ports, and supply chains become more connected, maritime cyber threats are growing just as fast. What were once isolated systems are now part of complex digital networks, creating new vulnerabilities across ships and shore-based operations.

Modern vessels function as floating data centers, relying on interconnected systems for navigation, cargo management, communications, and crew welfare. While this connectivity improves efficiency, it also expands the attack surface for cybercriminals, putting safety, operations, and compliance at risk.

In this blog, we explore the most critical maritime cyber threats facing the industry today, , and explain why strong cybersecurity is now essential to protecting vessels, crews, and global trade.

Critical maritime cyber targets

The maritime sector faces a growing range of cyber risks as vessels, ports, and shore operations become more digitally connected. Below are the most critical cyber targets, along with how attackers commonly exploit them.

1.Navigation systems

Modern vessels rely heavily on digital navigation tools such as GPS, AIS (Automatic Identification System), and ECDIS (Electronic Chart Display and Information System). These systems are essential for safe route planning, collision avoidance, and situational awareness.

Cyber attackers don’t need physical access to a ship to cause harm. By manipulating or spoofing navigation data, they can mislead crews about a vessel’s true position or heading, putting ships, crews, and the environment at risk.

Real-world example: Commercial vessels have reported GPS interference and spoofing in regions such as the Strait of Hormuz, the Persian Gulf,, and the Black Sea. In these incidents, ships appeared miles from their actual location or lost satellite navigation entirely, increasing the risk of collisions, groundings, or unauthorized entry into restricted waters.

2. Port and terminal operations

Ports depend on complex digital systems to manage cargo handling, crane operations, customs processing, and terminal logistics. A cyberattack targeting these systems can bring an entire port to a standstill.

Disruptions at ports don’t just affect one organization, they ripple across supply chains, delaying shipments and causing significant financial losses.

Real-world example: In August 2024, the Port of Seattle suffered a ransomware attack linked to the Rhysida group. Critical systems, including those supporting  Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, were taken offline, forcing staff to revert to manual processes. The attack also compromised personal data belonging to more than 90,000 individuals.

3. Ransomware targeting vessels and onshore operations

Ransomware attacks lock or encrypt systems until a ransom is paid. When vessels, shipping companies, or port operators are affected, operations may be halted entirely.

Because vessels operate on tight schedules, even short periods of downtime can lead to missed delivery windows, contractual penalties, and cascading disruptions across the supply chain. Beyond financial loss, ransomware incidents can also introduce safety risks if critical systems are unavailable.

4. Theft of sensitive operational data

Maritime organizations store large volumes of sensitive data, including cargo manifests, route plans, crew records, and passenger information. Cybercriminals may steal this data to sell on the dark web, support criminal activity, or gain competitive or strategic advantage.

Data breaches can damage trust, disrupt commercial relationships, and expose companies to regulatory penalties and legal action.

5. Control of critical ship systems (Operational Technology)

Operational Technology (OT) systems control the physical operation of a vessel. In the past, many of these systems were isolated. Today, they are increasingly connected to onboard and shore-based networks for monitoring and efficiency, making them a high-value cyber target.

A successful attack on OT systems can result in physical damage, environmental pollution, or even loss of life.

Common OT systems at risk include:

• Propulsion, machinery, and engine control systems
• Power generation and distribution systems
• Cargo handling and ballast control systems
• Safety and environmental control systems

How attackers gain access: IT systems and human factors

Most maritime cyber incidents don’t start with critical ship systems. They begin with everyday IT systems or human error.

IT systems as a pathway:

Communication networks, email, remote access tools, fleet management platforms, and crew welfare systems are often connected to operational systems. If compromised, attackers may use these systems as a stepping stone to reach more critical environments.

Human factors:

Phishing emails, weak passwords, shared credentials, or improper use of removable media remain some of the most common ways cyber incidents begin. Both crew members and shore-based personnel can be targeted, making cybersecurity awareness essential across the organization.

Why shipping can’t ignore cybersecurity

For a long time, the maritime industry lagged behind other sectors in cybersecurity. Ships were seen as too isolated, and ports too traditional. That’s no longer the case. Cybersecurity has become a cornerstone of maritime safety for five key reasons:

Safety at sea

Modern vessels are increasingly reliant on digital systems for navigation, communication, and operational control. Cyber-attacks that compromise these systems can have dire consequences.

For instance, disabling radar during poor weather or tampering with GPS data to mislead a vessel into restricted waters poses significant risks to crew safety and environmental protection. Such incidents can lead to collisions, grounding, or environmental disasters, underscoring the critical need for robust cybersecurity measures.

Regulatory compliance

The maritime industry is now subject to multiple regulations mandating cybersecurity measures:

• International Safety Management (ISM) Code: Ensures that companies implement safeguards, including cybersecurity, to maintain operational safety.
• IMO Resolution MSC.428(98): Requires all Safety Management Systems (SMS) under the ISM Code to address cyber risks. Compliance is mandatory, and failure can lead to vessel detention, fines, or insurance issues.
• IMO MSC-FAL.1/Circ.3/Rev.3: Provides best-practice guidelines for managing cyber risks across ships, ports, terminals, and stakeholders.
• International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code: Sets the framework for ship and port security, encompassing cyber threats.
• U.S. Coast Guard (USCG): Requires vessels and port facilities to implement security plans addressing cyber threats.
• Classification Societies: Verify and certify vessels’ cyber risk management compliance with IMO and industry standards.
• NIST Cybersecurity Framework: Provides practical cybersecurity standards for risk management and system resilience.
• EU NIS2 Directive: Requires EU member states to enforce cybersecurity measures for operators of essential services, including maritime entities, by October 2024.

Non-compliance can result in regulatory penalties, operational delays, and reputational damage. Together, these frameworks ensure vessels and ports maintain both legal compliance and operational resilience.

Operational continuity

Vessels and ports depend on interconnected digital systems for various operations, including cargo handling, navigation, and communication. Cyber incidents that disrupt these systems can halt operations, leading to delays, financial losses, and reputational damage. Implementing robust cybersecurity measures ensures the resilience of these systems, allowing for continuous and secure operations even under adverse conditions.

Protecting global trade

Given that maritime shipping is the lifeline of the global economy, a successful attack on a major shipping line or port could have far-reaching consequences. It could disrupt supply chains, delay deliveries, and even trigger economic instability.

Reputation and trust

A single cyber incident can severely damage the reputation of a shipping company. Clients may lose trust, insurance premiums may increase, and long-standing contracts may be jeopardized. Trust is paramount in the maritime industry, and robust cybersecurity practices help preserve this trust by demonstrating a commitment to safety, reliability, and compliance.

Core components of an effective maritime cybersecurity strategy

Firewalls and antivirus are essential foundations of maritime cybersecurity, and they work best as part of a broader strategic approach including:

Network segmentation

Separating IT and OT networks is critical to prevent a breach in one system from spreading to others. OT systems, like navigation, propulsion, and cargo management, often operate on older protocols and are more vulnerable.

By isolating these networks and implementing firewalls, VLANs, and strict access policies, maritime organizations can contain threats, limit operational disruption, and reduce the potential for cascading failures.

Role-based access control

Not everyone on board or in a port needs access to every system. RBAC ensures that users have only the privileges necessary for their role, minimizing the risk of insider threats or accidental misconfigurations. This includes secure credential management, strict onboarding and offboarding procedures for crew and contractors, and regular access reviews.

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Passwords alone are no longer sufficient to protect sensitive systems. MFA provides an additional verification step, such as a one-time code or biometric check, making it much harder for attackers to gain unauthorized access. Even if login credentials are stolen during a phishing attack, MFA can stop intruders from gaining access to sensitive systems.

Cybersecurity awareness training

Human error remains one of the greatest cybersecurity risks. Crew members, terminal operators, and shore staff must be trained to identify phishing emails, avoid weak passwords, and follow secure operational procedures.

Ongoing cybersecurity awareness training also ensures personnel understand how to report suspicious activity promptly, participate in incident response exercises, and stay current with evolving cyber threats. A culture of cybersecurity awareness can be as important as technical defenses.

Incident response planning

Even the best defenses can fail, which is why a well-defined, regularly tested incident response plan is essential. This plan should include procedures for isolating affected systems, restoring critical functions, communicating with stakeholders, and complying with reporting requirements such as those outlined by IMO guidance.

Prompt, coordinated responses minimize downtime, protect crew and cargo, and help maintain regulatory compliance.

Regular audits and updates

Continuously assess systems for vulnerabilities. Apply software and firmware updates promptly and verify security policies are consistently applied.

24/7/365 Threat Monitoring

Cyber threats don’t operate on a 9-to-5 schedule. Continuous monitoring of networks, endpoints, and critical OT systems detects anomalies and potential intrusions in real time, allowing rapid intervention before issues escalate.

Integrating automated alerting, threat intelligence feeds, and centralized logging strengthens situational awareness and ensures that security teams can respond effectively to emerging threats anywhere in the vessel or port ecosystem.

Backup and Disaster Recovery Planning

Effective backup and disaster recovery planning ensures maritime operations can withstand cyber incidents, system failures, and unexpected disruptions. Strategic backup solutions that balance local and cloud storage account for bandwidth limitations at sea, while fully tested disaster recovery plans enable systems to be restored quickly when failures occur. With clear business continuity strategies in place, including documented runbooks and virtual recovery options, vessel operators can minimize downtime and maintain resilient, reliable operations even under pressure.

Conclusion

Maritime cyber threats are established operational challenges that affect safety at sea, regulatory compliance, and the stability of global trade. As vessels and ports become more digitally interconnected, cybersecurity must be treated with the same priority as physical safety and navigational integrity.

A resilient maritime cybersecurity strategy brings together people, processes, and technology, protecting critical systems, maintaining operational continuity, and ensuring organizations are prepared to respond when incidents occur. With the right safeguards in place, such as 24/7 cyber threat monitoring, secure backups and tested disaster recovery plans, and clear separation between IT and operational ship systems, maritime operators can reduce risk, meet regulatory expectations, and operate with confidence in an increasingly connected environment.

If you’re assessing how well your current cybersecurity approach supports vessel safety, compliance, and resilience, Atekro is available to help you take the next informed step.

FAQs

What are maritime cyber threats?
Maritime cyber threats include attacks targeting vessels, ports, and shipping operations, such as ransomware, GPS spoofing, and data breaches.

Why is cybersecurity important for ships and ports?
Cyber incidents can disrupt operations, endanger crew safety, cause environmental damage, and lead to regulatory penalties.

What regulations require maritime cybersecurity?
Key frameworks include the ISM Code, IMO MSC.428(98), ISPS Code, USCG requirements, and the EU NIS2 Directive.

How do most maritime cyberattacks begin?
Many incidents start through IT systems or human error, such as phishing emails, weak passwords, or unsecured remote access.

What safeguards help reduce maritime cyber risk?
Continuous threat monitoring, secure backups with tested recovery plans, and network segmentation between IT and OT systems.