Regulatory Challenges in Maritime Cybersecurity: Evidence from Expert Workshops

Abstract

The maritime transportation sector is crucial for nations worldwide, as the Maritime Transportation System (MTS) facilitates over 90% of international trade through an extensive network of ships and ports. As digitized maritime operations become increasingly prevalent, advanced technologies are being integrated into these systems. MTS’s critical importance, along with its dependence on interconnected systems and new digital technologies, renders it vulnerable to cyberattacks at ports and other key points. Consequently, implementing cybersecurity regulations in the maritime sector is essential to ensure operational safety and security. However, organizations within this sector encounter significant challenges in adopting and adapting to these regulations, highlighting the need for robust, clear, and enforceable standards. Previous studies have identified various gaps and challenges in maritime cybersecurity regulations, including fragmented, outdated, and inconsistent enforcement. To address these issues, this paper employs a qualitative analysis through expert workshops to evaluate whether the findings effectively reflect real-world experiences with operational and regulatory applications. The study aims to identify and analyze gaps and challenges in existing regulations, policy standards, and frameworks for maritime cybersecurity.