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MARINE | Cyber Security In association with Norwegian Shipowners’ Mutual War Risks Insurance Association (DNK)
NORMA
paves the way The Norwegian Maritime Cyber Resilience Centre (NORMA Cyber) was established on 1 January 2021. The centre provides cyber security services for the Norwegian shipping and maritime sector. More than 30 shipowners and operators have already become members,representing more than 800 vessels. NORMA Cyber is a joint initiative between The Norwegian Shipowners’ Mutual War Risks Insurance Association (DNK) and the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association. Lars Benjamin Vold, (above left) Managing Director NORMA Cyber, explains Society has become more vulnerable as a result of new technology. We have seen several examples of cyber-attacks both nationally and internationally, and the shipping industry is as exposed to this risk as all other sectors. The Norwegian shipping and maritime sector needs to protect itself and therefore DNK and the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association are joining forces in a powerful initiative to prevent and deal with cyber threats against shipping, both against ships and against the shipping companies’ land-based organisations. DNK has for several years provided a successful loss prevention programme focused on physical threats such as war, terrorism, and piracy, through their Intelligence and Operations Centre (IOC). Throughout the last few years DNK has also provided services focused on cyber security. But by establishing NORMA Cyber, DNK is increasing this effort significantly. The centre will provide a system for effective information sharing, incident support and other proactive services. Through this initiative the aim is to combine the members’ need for defending their own infrastructure with DNK’s work The Marine Insurer Nordic & Asia Special Edition | April 2021
within loss prevention. Since DNK is a mutual club, these interests are fully aligned. Together with the extensive collaboration with Norwegian authorities and other relevant entities, this gives a unique set-up which you can’t find anywhere else in the world of shipping. We also see that some of these services are much more efficiently delivered from a centralised organisation than enables each member to build capabilities and competence independently. It is obvious that we all become more efficient if security matter are managed on a collaborative basis. Norwegian shipping and the maritime industry have long traditions when it comes to co-operation and information exchange within security and contingency preparedness. NORMA Cyber is now continuing that work with the services that it provides. NORMA Cyber already provides regular updates to its member about relevant cyber threats and mitigation. The centre has also detected activity which is relevant for its members. The centre has observed certain threat actors that specifically target the maritime sector and shipping. These are both nation states and cyber criminals with different motivations and goals.
RISE IN RANSOMWARE Ransomware has increased significantly in recent times. From July 2020 until January this year we saw 17 maritime companies internationally suffering from ransomware attacks. Over the last 12 months it has also been observed that ransomware groups, in addition to encrypting data, also threaten to leak data. This is done to pressure the compromised companies even
