On the rise: threats to maritime cyber security

According to Marlink, a leading provider of ICT solutions, the first half of 2024 saw a significant rise in cyber security incidents across maritime networks.

“During the first half of the year, the threat landscape in the maritime environment monitored through the SOC has continued to evolve and surprise us compared to 2023,” said Nicolas Furgé, president of Marlink Digital.

“Malicious actors are evolving their attack patterns and launching fraudulent campaigns that bypass previously effective security controls, such as two-factor authentication, forcing us to raise security levels to safeguard operations.”

Sharp rise

Marlink’s SOC monitored over 1,800 vessels, including cargo ships, cruises and offshore platforms. The report identified a sharp rise in botnet activity and Command and Control attacks, alongside more sophisticated phishing campaigns.

AI-driven botnets targeting Internet of Things (IoT) devices were also highlighted as a growing concern in maritime security.

Altogether, the SOC registered over 23,400 malware detections and 178 ransomware incidents during the first six months of 2024.

This escalation highlights the increasing sophistication of attacks, as cybercriminals develop new strategies to bypass established security controls.

These findings underline the importance of continuous threat monitoring and advanced tools like Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) to combat evolving cyber security challenges in the maritime sector.

The report emphasises the critical need for enhanced maritime security strategies to counter the rising wave of cyber threats.

Download the full Marlink SOC 1H 2024 report.