This week’s ransomware cyber attack on Norsk Hydro, one of the world’s largest aluminium producers, is a clear demonstration of the growing threat facing firms within the maritime and ocean industries, says Per Martin Tanggaard, Director of Nor-Shipping.
Norsk Hydro computer systems were initially hit by the comparatively new LockerGoga virus on Monday. It then spread through the firm’s network encrypting files. As a result the company, which employs some 36,000 people in 40 countries, was forced to halt production in several plants, switching to increased manual operations to bypass problems connecting to its production systems. LockerGoga works by demanding payment for the decryption of infected files.
The new risk reality
“This is yet another wake up call for industry, and particularly for the maritime segment,” comments Tanggaard. “Shipping has been comparatively slow to join the digital revolution, but now that it has developments are moving fast, with ever increasing automation, connected operations and the move towards autonomy. It is absolutely essential that firms don’t just see the opportunities inherent here, but also the threats.
“The past two years have seen a growing number of audacious cyber attacks on maritime players, with high profile incidents involving Maersk, COSCO and Austal, as well as ports such as San Diego and Barcelona. This is a trend that, unfortunately, is only near the beginning of the development curve. Shipping and ocean industry firms, which by their nature are involved with large and expensive assets, infrastructure and cargoes, must have strategies in place to counter risk.
“Cyber security should be top of the agenda for all businesses, big and small. If a company with Norsk Hydro’s resources, expertise and systems is susceptible to attack, then everybody is. Be aware.”
Leading from the front
In a bid to help its industry mitigate risk, Nor-Shipping has invited one of the world’s leading authorities on cyber security to attend its Ocean Leadership Conference as a keynote speaker on 4 June. Admiral Michael Rogers, who served under both Presidents Obama and Trump as former director of the National Security Agency (NSA), will address issues including the evolving threat landscape and devising effective cyber strategies.
