Maritime Sector targeted by cyber criminals, Norway warns

Maritime sector and the oil and gas sector have been victims of cyber campaigns targeting several different sectors since June this year, according to the Norwegian National Security Authority (NSM).

The scope of these campaigns and the following incidents have been global, but companies in the United States of America, Europe, and the Middle East have been the main targets.

“The threat actors have demonstrated high ability and capacity to conduct their operations. It has been reported attempts of digital activity with malicious intent against some companies,” NSM added.

“Companies and organisations should be prepared for continuous activity in the short to medium term.”

NSM National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), the Norwegian Maritime Authority, and the Norwegian Ship owners’ Association assessed that all types of ships and ship owners’ land-based infrastructure can be vulnerable to cyber incidents within the maritime sector. Especially ship owners that operate in MARSEC level two areas or higher “should be aware of the situation.”

NSM NCSC has urged ship owners and employees within the maritime sector “to show increased vigilance”.