The 8 Global Cybersecurity Institutions — From IACS to ITU-T, Building the Standard for Maritime Logistics and IT/OT Security
🚢 Introduction
Today, the maritime and shipbuilding industries have gone far beyond traditional logistics and transport.
They are rapidly transforming into massive “floating data centers” operating on digital networks.
From engine control systems and port cranes to logistics IoT and satellite communication,
a single cyberattack can now halt an entire operational chain — both digitally and physically.
This clearly shows that the world is moving toward an integrated security governance model that unites
“IT Security” (information systems protection) and “OT Security” (operational technology — control and automation protection).
In this complex transformation, the following eight global cybersecurity leadership institutions—originally designed for land-based systems—
are now essential reference points for maritime and logistics cybersecurity as well.
1️⃣ NIST
National Institute of Standards and Technology
NIST defines cybersecurity risk management through its Cybersecurity Framework (CSF),
organized into five core functions: Identify – Protect – Detect – Respond – Recover.
🔹 Maritime & Logistics Application:
Shipyards and shipowners can use NIST CSF to map and secure both IT assets and OT networks
(engine control, communications, PLCs, etc.).
IMO’s cybersecurity guidelines (MSC-FAL.1/Circ.3) are themselves based on the NIST Framework model.
2️⃣ ISO / IEC JTC 1 SC 27
International Organization for Standardization / International Electrotechnical Commission
ISO/IEC defines the language of information security management systems (ISMS).
ISO/IEC 27001 extends beyond IT to cover OT environments across ships, ports, and logistics facilities.
🔹 Maritime & Logistics Application:
Classification societies (e.g., ClassNK, DNV) use ISO 27001 and IEC 62443 (industrial control system security)
as the baseline for cybersecurity certification of shipboard systems.
ISO therefore acts as the certification framework for maritime cybersecurity.
3️⃣ ENISA
European Union Agency for Cybersecurity
ENISA is the center of Europe’s cybersecurity policy and regulation.
Frameworks like the NIS2 Directive, Cyber Resilience Act, and EUCS
mandate cybersecurity certification across transport, energy, and maritime sectors.
🔹 Maritime & Logistics Application:
European ports and shipping companies (e.g., Maersk, MSC, CMA CGM) follow ENISA guidelines
to include OT and ICS devices within security certification scopes,
and to ensure that ship-to-port communication meets EU-level cybersecurity requirements.
4️⃣ MITRE
MITRE Corporation
MITRE maintains the world’s most widely used database of adversarial techniques — the ATT&CK Framework.
It classifies and maps how attackers operate across various platforms, including ICS and OT.
🔹 Maritime & Logistics Application:
During penetration testing or risk assessments in ports and ships,
the MITRE ATT&CK for ICS matrix is applied to model threat scenarios.
For instance, attacks such as PLC manipulation or satellite-communication jamming
are mapped to specific tactics and techniques for clearer mitigation design.
5️⃣ FIRST
Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams
FIRST is the global collaboration network connecting CERT and CSIRT teams worldwide.
It defines frameworks for incident response, information exchange, and trust coordination.
🔹 Maritime & Logistics Application:
Global shipping and port organizations use FIRST’s Traffic Light Protocol (TLP)
to classify and share cyber incident information internationally.
For example, a detected intrusion indicator (IOC) may be shared as TLP:Amber
between classification societies, shipyards, and shipowners to maintain controlled transparency.
6️⃣ CIS
Center for Internet Security
CIS provides practical, actionable security controls.
The CIS Controls v8 serve as a ready-to-use checklist for both IT and OT environments.
🔹 Maritime & Logistics Application:
Shipyard or port IT teams can implement CIS Controls directly
when designing OT network security — e.g., firewalls, VLAN segmentation, and log management.
They are also applied as minimum control standards for systems like ECDIS, engine monitoring, and PLC control.
7️⃣ OECD
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
OECD focuses less on technology and more on trust, governance, and cross-border policy.
Its Digital Security and Privacy Principles highlight how security directly impacts economic resilience.
🔹 Maritime & Logistics Application:
Cross-border logistics data — such as port operation info, voyage tracking, or cargo movement —
is governed using OECD’s Digital Trust Framework, defining data sovereignty and governance principles.
8️⃣ ITU-T SG17
International Telecommunication Union – Study Group 17
ITU-T sets global telecommunications security standards.
Its X.1051, X.1205, and X.1500 series cover security for ICS, 5G, IoT, and satellite networks.
🔹 Maritime & Logistics Application:
Standards from ITU-T SG17 are used in the design of secure VSAT, LTE, and satellite systems on ships,
as well as 5G-based port automation networks.
These standards directly align with maritime rules such as IACS UR E26/E27.
Conclusion — The Future of Maritime Cybersecurity Is “Connected Trust”
Though these eight institutions operate in distinct domains,
they all share a unified mission:
“To build a safe and trusted digital maritime ecosystem.”
Maritime logistics is no longer just about vessels and cargo.
It is a cyber-physical domain where data, networks, and operational systems are tightly integrated.
Adopting NIST, MITRE, ISO, and ENISA standards into a cohesive IT/OT governance model
will define the future of cyber resilience in this sector.
✍️ Insight
“Cybersecurity is not merely a technical issue —
it is the design of trust.”
When NIST’s framework, ENISA’s regulations, MITRE’s threat intelligence, ISO’s certification,
and FIRST’s global cooperation converge,
that’s when true “Connected Resilience” emerges —
both on land and at sea.
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