A Platform for Raising Awareness on Cyber Security in a Maritime Context

Abstract

In this paper, we present a platform we have designed and built in order to raise awareness on cyber security issues for stakeholders involved in a maritime context (e.g., ship officers, pilots, crew, harbor agents, officers in training), and to support our research in the context of a strong partnership with industry and academy. Maritime traffic contributes to a very large extent to the trade and exchange of goods between countries and continents. For decades, security on the boat was restricted to fire prevention and the avoidance of pirates. Internet and computer-based systems inside the boats have changed the relative quietness of a ship at sea to deal with new challenges and threats, viruses, cyber attacks, remote operation and control, etc. Even when in a harbor, a ship appears as very vulnerable as it relies on information systems that can be corrupted. Ensuring security and protection of a ship when at sea or by the coastline raise numerous challenges, as the ship design did not anticipate impacts of recent omnipresence of information and communication technologies. In this paper, we present our current platform, its rationale and the initial feedback we have obtained when teaching cyber security and presenting cyber risks. We also detail how we used it to detect potential attacks.