SmartSea Advocates For Cross-Sector Collaboration To Ensure Maritime Cybersecurity Keeps Pace With Green Technology

As the global shipping industry races to decarbonise and digitalise, Simon Fotakis, Director of Technology Sales at SmartSea, powered by SITA, and a Certified Information Services Security Professional (CISSP) is calling on the industry not to forget about the importance of cybersecurity.

Despite increasing digital integration, the maritime sector remains highly vulnerable to cyber threats, many of which target poorly protected onboard IT systems rather than core navigation or propulsion infrastructure.

“The truth is, cybersecurity still lags behind where it needs to be,” says Mr Fotakis (pictured). “We’re seeing advanced ships with cutting-edge green tech but often connected to weak IT infrastructures that are vulnerable to exploitation, espionage, and sabotage. Many in the maritime industry still treat cybersecurity as a checkbox instead of a core capability. It’s a dangerous disconnect from reality as a single intrusion could cripple a fleet and erase years of progress.”

According to BIMCO, more than 80% of shipowners have experienced a cyberattack in the past three years and the average cost of a maritime cyberattack is estimated at $3.1 million. Despite this, only 31% of maritime companies say they have a high level of cybersecurity preparedness and phishing remains the top attack vector, responsible for 91% of successful breaches in the industry.

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