President Biden’s recent executive order, announced on February 21, 2024, signifies a crucial stride in fortifying the resilience of critical maritime infrastructure. In an official statement from the White House, the initiative aims to “secure the country’s supply chains and strengthen the cybersecurity of our nation’s critical infrastructure against 21st-century threats.”
America’s economic prosperity is intricately tied to maritime trade, relying on a complex network encompassing ports, terminals, vessels, waterways, and land-side connections that constitute the Nation’s Marine Transportation System (MTS). This system fuels a staggering $5.4 trillion worth of economic activity annually, employing over 31 million Americans and facilitating nearly 95% of cargo entering the U.S.1
However, the significance of securing critical infrastructure extends far beyond national borders. The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) recently highlighted the escalating risks to critical infrastructure, emphasizing the necessity for proactive measures to counter potential threats. This global acknowledgement underscores the urgency for collaborative efforts to fortify critical infrastructure against emerging cyber risks.
Global Ramifications of Maritime Infrastructure
Imagine a scenario where maritime infrastructure, the lifeblood of global trade, falls prey to malicious actors.
Ports shut down, supply chains grind to a halt, and economies crumble under the weight of the disruption.
Such a scenario isn’t merely hypothetical; it’s a looming threat in an increasingly interconnected world. The interdependence of nations on maritime trade amplifies the repercussions of any disruption or cyberattack targeting maritime infrastructure.
From manufacturing plants awaiting crucial components to consumers awaiting goods, the ripple effects of such an event would be felt worldwide. Ensuring the security of maritime infrastructure isn’t just about protecting individual nations; it’s about safeguarding the interconnected web that sustains global commerce and prosperity. With cyber threats intensifying, particularly from state-sponsored actors, safeguarding ports and related assets has become paramount.
The recent accident in the Port of Baltimore highlights the potential impact of a maritime incident. Whilst initial reports suggest human error may have led to the power failure onboard the cargo vessel, it is very easy to see how a systems hack could create the same chaos.
CypherNET CN7000
Amidst these growing concerns over maritime cybersecurity, Senetas has extended the CypherNET range of network encryptors. The new CN7000 provides quantum-resilient, ruggedised hardware encryption, all the way to the edge of maritime and other critical infrastructure operations.
Designed specifically for secure infrastructure and communications technologies, CN700 represents a breakthrough in safeguarding critical assets against cyber threats. It leverages the most advanced and secure encryption and authentication of data, voice and video within maritime networks.
“CypherNET CN7000 delivers secure, quantum-resilient, network communications. From the server room to the last mile of critical infrastructure operations, the CN7000 protects in-field communications with ruggedised form factors for land, sea and air applications. ”
Securing Critical Infrastructure
The vulnerability of our maritime infrastructure to cyber threats is not a distant concern but an imminent danger with global ramifications. President Biden’s executive order underscores the urgency of the situation, but it’s not enough. We stand at a critical juncture where action, not rhetoric, will determine our fate.
