A study into cyber risks with respect to smart port development

• Main Author: Kim, Kyung Seok
• Other Authors: -
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: Nanyang Technological University 2023
• Subjects: Engineering::Maritime studies
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/172889
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

The fourth industrial revolution has caught up to port infrastructures and nations have embarked on the path towards smart port development to improve upon port functions and upgrade their logistics network. Technological integration of ports, traditionally offline in their operations, allows port operators to gain a competitive edge as their capabilities are drastically improved upon with the help of various technologies. However, this trajectory of development has introduced unprecedented cyber risks to an industry that lagged behind most in terms of smart tech. International organisations and government agencies such as IMO and the NIST are trying to raise awareness and devise measures to bolster the cyber security of ports. In light of the sharp rise in cyber intrusions by malicious agents that appears to be backed by national governments. However, most of their measures are guidelines and requirements that are enforced are in a stage of infancy. Vulnerabilities are rife for smart port development as there are vastly more different components and players involved in the network of connections in a smart port. The political climate has worsened over the years and such signs have manifested itself into physical warfare. With the current state of affairs, it comes as no surprise that state sponsored cyber attacks have taken an upward trajectory. Such cyber attacks may appear far more mild compared to physical wars but their effects are nonetheless devastating in destabilising a country, especially when it is state sponsored. The objectives of state sponsored cyber actors are starkly different from hacking syndicates that are looking to make commercial gains. This study will focus on the political aspect and elaborate on why politically driven cyber threats will rise and how this could be the most important cyber risk that ports should pay attention to on their road towards digitalisation.