Overview of Current International Maritime Shipping Challenges from a Cyber Threat Perspective

Advances in science and technology play a key role in the development of merchant shipping, influencing both the size and speed of modern ships and their technical characteristics. The gradual increase in the cargo capacity of ships is accompanied by a reduction in the number of crew due to the automation of work processes, including the introduction of IT technologies and modern ship management systems. Despite calls by international maritime organizations for increased protection against cyber-attacks at sea, problems in this area remain unresolved. Owners remain silent about attempts or incidents of cyber-attacks for fear of commercial losses and possible negative consequences, such as loss of reputation, claims from customers and insurance companies, and possible investigations by independent international and state authorities. The issues of cybersecurity in the sphere of ship management in the modern world are becoming more and more important, as the existing threats affect not only the security of technical systems and equipment, but also aspects of environmental and public safety at sea. This article analyzes the application of cyber risk management recommendations in the maritime industry within the framework of security management systems to ensure reliable operation of computer-controlled ship systems.