No abstract

Due to the increase in the digitalization on board ships, the potential consequences of a cyber-induced incident can threaten the safety of the ships. A known challenge in the maritime industry is communication between ship owner management onshore and the crew on board a ship, especially during incident handling. To mitigate this issue and enhance cooperation in the digital age, crew and ship owner management need to meet, train for, and discuss cyber risks and their challenges. One way to enhance cohesive teams and effective communication is through the application of a human-centred design (HCD) approach to holistic team training. This paper proposes how simulator instructors should utilise HCD for the development of maritime cyber resilience training, tailored to a variety of maritime stakeholders including ship’s crew and onshore support personnel. To do this, this paper will explore relevant learning theories and current maritime and cyber-related training methods. The paper will then demonstrate, through a practical application, the effectiveness of adopting HCD when designing maritime cyber resilience training. This application will argue that maritime simulators present an effective training solution for new cyber-related incidents. The authors demonstrate the application of HCD by showcasing a ballast water handling system cyber incident designed for the simulator. The development of such a training resource allows all participants to experience the consequences of a cyber-attack in a safe environment whilst enhancing their ability to respond (i.e. communicate with each other) effectively.

Cyber threats are emerging as a risk in the maritime industry. If the navigational systems on board a ship somehow fail to function because of a cyber incident, the navigator is an important asset who is expected to handle the problem and provide a solution to maintain the safety of the crew, the vessel, and the environment. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) urges the shipping industry to be resilient towards cyber threats. To facilitate for enhanced operational maritime cyber resilience, there is a need to understand how navigators interpret cyber threats, which can be essential to safely conduct nautical operations. This paper presents a qualitative study of navigators’ understanding of cyber threats based on interviews with ten navigators, and further provides recommendations for how use of this knowledge can contribute to enhanced maritime cyber resilience.