{mprestriction ids="1,2"}The document is presented in the form of a case study examining the progress of a real life Cyprus Shipping Chamber (CSC) member company, a ship owner, technical operations manager and crew manager, in implementing a cyber security programme for their ships with internet access.

The shipping company, which is not named for the case study, was asked a series of questions related to their IT implementation and policies, with the answers recorded in the document.

Each of the replies is then supplemented with further information derived from best practice recommendations from various sources, including BIMCO, the US Coast Guard and ABS, to provide a more complete picture of the suggested course of action in each situation.

“Cyber threats are one of the most serious economic and international security challenges facing the maritime industry today,” says the CSC, in its introduction to the report.

“The need for protection and security enforcements to mitigate the threats is more important today than ever. Guidelines to support secure cyber operations and contingency plans to be followed in a case of cyber incident have become necessary.”

“The Cyprus Shipping Chamber, recognising the increasing concern of its members with regards to cyber security and their protection, developed this document with the intention to create awareness of the threat and provide guidance to its members.”

CSC notes that this first version of the case study should not be considered an all-inclusive guide to cyber security, and says that it is intended to be a dynamic document which will be updated with further developments in the sector as they become available.{/mprestriction}