The Digital Security Authority (DSA), in collaboration with the Shipping Deputy Ministry and with the participation of the Israel National Cyber Directorate (INCD), on the 27th of January, successfully concluded a pioneering conference on maritime cybersecurity titled "Charting a New Course: Overcoming Maritime Challenges."
The event brought together approximately 70 participants from the public and private sectors of the maritime industry to discuss contemporary challenges and threats related to cybersecurity in the maritime domain, as well as effective strategies and actions to address them.
Among the attendees were representatives from the U.S. Embassy in Cyprus, the British High Commission, and Mandiant, a leading cybersecurity company specializing in threat intelligence and incident response.
His Excellency the Ambassador of Israel to Cyprus, Mr. Oren Anolik, also attended the event and shared brief welcoming remarks.
The main speakers at the conference were:
Mr. Giorgos Michaelides, Commissioner of Communications
Dr. Stelios Himonas, Permanent Secretary of the Shipping Deputy Ministry
Mr. Gaby Portnoy, Director General of the Israel National Cyber Directorate
Mr. Michaelides opened the event by thanking the attendees and the Deputy Ministry of Shipping for their co-organization efforts. He emphasized the strategic importance of collaborating with the INCD to address the growing cyber threats facing the maritime sector.
He further highlighted the rapidly escalating cyber threats and attacks faced by the shipping industry in recent years, a sector considered critical to global trade and the Eastern Mediterranean economy. Mr. Michaelides noted that the financial cost of these attacks has increased significantly, with the average cost of a cyberattack reaching $550,000. He underscored the importance of collective action, as cyberattacks pose serious risks to business continuity, financial stability, crew safety, and the environment.
Mr. Michaelides outlined the DSA's actions and efforts to strengthen the sector, through the European directives NIS and NIS2, as well as other initiatives like CY-TRUST and SecAwarenessTruss. He also emphasized the significance of the cooperation between Cyprus, Greece, Israel, and the United States through the 3+1 Cybersecurity Working Group, as well as the workshops held in collaboration with the Sandia National Laboratories of the U.S. Department of Energy. These collaborations concluded in a white paper outlining the need for a regional centre of excellence for cybersecurity and the most appropriate approaches for implementing this need.
The Commissioner mentioned that the establishment of this centre has been a long-held aspiration and expressed hope that it will function as a hub for training, information exchange, security enhancement, innovation, and policy development, while aligning with international regulations and addressing the unique needs of the region.
In closing, he thanked the attendees and speakers once again and emphasized the close collaboration with the INCD for the implementation of this regional center of excellence for cybersecurity.
The conference continued with an address by Mr. Portnoy, who thanked Commissioner Michaelides for the invitation and the organization of the conference, but especially for his decisive contribution towards the establishment of the Regional Center of Excellence for Maritime Cybersecurity and the Regional Maritime SOC. Mr. Portnoy pointed out that this Centre was a vision of the Commissioner, which he shared with him two years ago, and since then, close cooperation has developed between the INCD and the DSA for its implementation.
He then highlighted three levels of strategic partnership: between Israel and Cyprus, between INCD and the Commissioner/DSA, and between INCD, DSA, and the maritime community.
He also noted that, due to their geographical location, both Israel and Cyprus depend on shipping and must protect its uninterrupted operation.
Finally, Mr. Portnoy stressed the need for a common language, culture, and rules in cyberspace to address common challenges.
The series of speeches concluded with Dr. Stelios Himonas, who welcomed the attendees to the event, co-organized by the Digital Security Authority, the Shipping Deputy Ministry, and the Israel National Cyber Directorate. He emphasized the importance of shipping for global trade and its increasing exposure to cyberattacks due to digitization. He also, highlighted the devastating consequences of cyberattacks and the need for stronger security measures.
Dr. Himonas, in turn, supported the creation of a regional Center of Excellence for Maritime Cybersecurity and cooperation between government organizations and stakeholders.
In closing, he expressed the government's commitment to strengthening digital security in shipping and wished for a constructive conference.
Speeches
