Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO) has published a set of cyber security guidelines to help the shipping industry secures itself against the risk of cyber attackers.

Called the Guidelines on Cyber Security Onboard Ships—the free to download course of action from BIMCO’s website and were developed together with Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), Intercargo and Intertanko—outlined various vulnerabilities not only related to operational and financial data, as well as measures which can be taken to reduce the risk.

According to the guidelines, bridge and navigation systems including ECDIS, GNSS, AIS, VDR and Radar/ARPA, cargo management systems and propulsion monitoring systems were all connected to shore side networks, leaving them at risk.

BIMCO Secretary General Angus Frew mentioned that BIMCO has guided the way to recognize possible cyber risks to ship as well their implication based on the latest study. This effort is aimed to provide the shipping industry with clear and comprehensive information on cyber security risks to ship so the shipowners will be able to take measures to counter the attacks and to deal with the cyber incidents if it eventually occurred. **