The International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) has unveiled a new set of cyber resilience guidelines to address the risks associated with emerging technologies in the maritime supply chain.
Prepared by a dedicated working group under the IAPH data collaboration committee (DCC), the guidelines bring together the expertise of 28 contributors from IAPH member ports, associate members, the World Bank, and the World Economic Forum.
The document examines the cyber risks and benefits linked to technologies such as quantum computing, artificial intelligence (AI), drones, IoT, 5G, automation, and green energy. It also outlines measures for detecting, mitigating, and protecting against cyber threats, and emphasises the importance of training and appropriate legislation.
Gadi Benmoshe, Vice Chair of the data collaboration committee and Managing Director of Marinnovators Consulting, commented: “In 2021, the committee produced the IAPH cybersecurity guidelines for ports and port facilities, which were subsequently adopted by IMO as part of their cyber risk management guidelines.
“Then, in 2023, we published the IAPH innovation in ports whitepaper. The committee then decided what would be the next IAPH contribution to enhance cyber resilience in ports. It was only natural to combine the two, namely cyber and emerging technologies.”
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The guidelines were shaped by feedback from the IAPH webinar “Preparing for the inevitable – how ports can prepare themselves against cyber-attacks,” where participants prioritised advanced technologies requiring the most robust cybersecurity measures. Both quantum and green energy were highlighted as areas needing early preparation.
Benmoshe added: “The implementation of emerging technologies in the maritime supply chain is getting wider, which precisely is the reason why it is important to raise awareness to implement cybersecurity by design. That means preparing now, not after an incident.”
The guidelines also feature chapters on training and education to support cybersecurity for emerging technologies, and recommendations for integrating these technologies into maritime cybersecurity legislation.
For broader accessibility, the association has also published a Spanish version of the guidelines for ports in Europe, Latin America, Africa, and Asia.
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Patrick Verhoeven, IAPH Managing Director, added: “These guidelines have involved a significant amount of work from Gadi, our DCC Chair, Ingrid Boqué, and the team of authors from our membership and partner experts.
“It addresses the number one health, safety and security concern identified by our surveyed respondents to the recent IAPH World Ports Tracker market and sustainability trends report.”
IAPH plans to submit the guidelines for wider industry adoption and recognition.
To view a copy of the guidelines in English, click here.
