π’ Before long, preparing for SIEM/IDS-based ship cybersecurity will be essential
With the reinforcement of IMO and IACS UR E26/E27 regulations, the establishment of a real-time security monitoring system to protect IT/OT systems on ships is expected to become essential.
To stay ahead of these regulatory requirements, it is crucial to prepare in advance. In this post, we will outline how to build a real-time security monitoring system based on SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) and IDS (Intrusion Detection System) that complies with classification societies' cybersecurity guidelines.
✅ What are SIEM and IDS?
π SIEM (Security Information & Event Management)
- A system that collects, analyzes, and responds to security events in real time
- Centrally manages logs and events to detect and respond to abnormal activities
π IDS (Intrusion Detection System)
- A system that monitors network traffic and detects intrusion attempts
- Uses signature-based (pattern recognition) and anomaly-based (behavioral analysis) techniques to identify attacks
π Objectives of Shipboard Security Monitoring Based on SIEM/IDS
π’ 1️⃣ Real-time Security Event Monitoring
- Detect abnormal signs in IT/OT systems and networks in real time
π’ 2️⃣ Strengthening Ship-to-Shore Security Integration
- Enable real-time alerts and responses by integrating with the Shore Security Operations Center (Shore SOC)
π’ 3️⃣ Automating Intrusion Detection and Incident Response
- Implement an automated alert and response system by integrating IDS detection with SIEM
⛵ Ship IT/OT Security Monitoring Architecture
π 1. Network Security Layer (Zoning & Firewall)
✅ Separate IT (Bridge, Crew) and OT (Control Systems) networks
✅ Control security by zones using firewalls and VLANs
π 2. Intrusion Detection System (IDS)
✅ Deploy IDS in OT networks and key systems (PLC, VDR, ECDIS, etc.)
✅ Analyze network traffic to detect abnormal behavior
π 3. Security Log Collection (SIEM)
✅ Centrally analyze logs from firewalls, IDS, and systems in real time
✅ Detect security threats through event correlation analysis
π 4. Threat Response and Alert System
✅ Automatically issue alerts and take incident response actions when abnormal activities occur
✅ Enable additional responses through integration with the Shore SOC
π Steps for Implementing SIEM/IDS-based Security Monitoring
| Step | Description | Key Activities |
|---|---|---|
| 1️⃣ Network Security Design | Separate IT/OT networks and configure firewalls | - Define VLAN/Zoning policies - Apply Network Access Control (NAC) |
| 2️⃣ Security Event Collection & Analysis (SIEM Deployment) | Collect and centrally analyze security logs on board | - Gather logs from firewalls, IDS, OS, and applications - Configure event correlation and alerting |
| 3️⃣ Intrusion Detection System (IDS) Deployment | Deploy IDS in OT systems and critical network areas | - Analyze network traffic (signature-based & anomaly detection) - Set security policies and detection rules |
| 4️⃣ Anomaly Detection & Alert Configuration | Implement real-time alerting system integrating SIEM & IDS | - Automate alerts - Monitor critical events in real time |
| 5️⃣ Incident Response Process Development | Automate response processes for security incidents | - Isolate and block threats immediately after detection - Integrate with Shore SOC for coordinated response |
| 6️⃣ Regular Security Audits & Maintenance | Perform system updates and periodic security checks | - Update IDS/SIEM rules - Analyze logs and generate reports |
✅ Key Considerations for SIEM/IDS Implementation
π’ 1. Real-time Network Traffic Monitoring
- Implement a monitoring strategy considering network load
- Adjust event collection based on shipboard network bandwidth constraints
π’ 2. Protection of OT Systems
- IT security methods may not be directly applicable to OT networks
- Ensure security logs can be collected without disrupting operations
π’ 3. Integration with Shore SOC
- Enable real-time monitoring of shipboard security events at the Shore SOC
- Establish a framework for ship-to-shore threat intelligence sharing and coordinated response
π’ 4. Regular Security Policy Updates
- Periodically update IDS signatures and SIEM event analysis rules
- Apply new threat detection models (e.g., AI-based anomaly detection)
π Expected Benefits After SIEM/IDS Implementation
✅ Early Detection of Cyber Attacks → Detect ransomware, malware, and network attacks in real time
✅ Protection of Shipboard Networks and OT Systems → Strengthen intrusion detection and response capabilities
✅ Integrated Ship-to-Shore Security Framework → Enable rapid response by linking with the Shore SOC
✅ Compliance with IMO and Classification Society Regulations → Meet IACS UR E26/E27 and classification society certification requirements
π’ Conclusion: Preparing for SIEM/IDS-Based Ship Cybersecurity is Essential!
With the continuous strengthening of cybersecurity regulations by classification societies, the implementation of a SIEM/IDS-based real-time security monitoring system for ships and fleets is expected to become an unavoidable necessity.
To stay ahead of these requirements, proactive preparation is crucial. Now is the time to actively consider establishing a robust security monitoring system for your ships and fleet.
π’ Is your ship prepared for real-time security monitoring?
Leave your thoughts in the comments, and let’s discuss together! π
MaritimeCyberSecurity EY EYMCH IACS UR_E26 UR_E27 USCG CyberRisk Shipping Compliance Digitalization #CyberShip
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