Cyber attacks and their impacts on the shipping industry : identify the risks and suggest ways to mitigate (port)

Abstract

The port industry has been constantly evolving with digital transformation. There is an increasing trend of convergence of IT and OT systems, achieving a seamless connection between cyber and physical systems that enables ports to stay ahead of competition. Besides the benefits of being more digitalized and connected, this transformation has also created a new ecosystem where cyber-attack poses as the top risk in port that result in catastrophic consequences. However, studies related to cyber risks of integrated IT and OT systems in port have been scarce and most of them are related to the ship operations sector. Therefore, this study is motivated to provide an overview of various IT and OT technologies that might pose cyber risks to port, and then identify various impacts associated with exemplary cyber-attack scenarios. Results have shown that cyber-attacks on port are of high-risk level and therefore, recommendations in intra-, inter-, and meta- level respectively will be suggested to the various port stakeholders in mitigating cyber risks.