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In order to address the growing threat of cybercrime, the Indian Register of Shipping (IRClass) has developed a set of class rules based on guidelines set by International Maritime Organization (IMO), as well as appropriate standards such as the National Institute of Standards and Technology set by the US Department of Commerce (NIST).
Executive Chairman, Arun Sharma said: “Cyber-attacks on ship’s control systems, IT, navigational and other critical systems can result in damage or even losing course of the ship, which can drastically affect the safety of the ship, port facilities and marine property. As the industry continues to introduce new technologies, IRClass as a classification society will play a significant role in ensuring that the safety of a vessel and its crew are not compromised by such attacks.”
The implementation of the new rules helps IRClass to identify the cyber risk issues from as early as the design stage of the vessel. A final verification then takes place once the vessel is built, and periodically during annual surveys. A vessel and its shipping back office which is certified for cyber safety is assessed as complying with the class rules, and will be provided with an additional class notation.
In addition to the class rules, IRClass has also developed the first edition of ‘Cyber Safety Guidelines for Port and Shipping Company Facilities’, a guide to safeguarding technology systems from internal and external cyber threats. These guidelines are designed to help companies identify gaps and mitigate cyber security risks.
