Keeping Your Critical Assets Safe & Secure

Cyber-crime dominates the headlines, with high profile security breaches occurring almost daily. Ensuring the safety and security of your family and guests onboard a superyacht along with your information, is therefore ever more pertinent. Tim Erridge and John Higginson of Context outline vulnerabilities and risks, as well as discuss solutions.

- Tim Erridge and John Higginson

DUE TO THE REMOTE AND VAST ISOLATED nature of the open sea, it is easy to think that cyber security is not an issue and that securing the vessel’s WiFi access will provide a secure cyber perimeter even in port. In truth that is far from the case.

A yacht by its very nature signifies considerable wealth and perhaps the presence of valuable artworks, expensive jewellery and large amounts of cash – all presenting a potentially lucrative and attractive target for pirates and criminals.

Pirates are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their tactics and even using advanced technologies such as drones to their advantage. Cyber space is no different from the physical world; criminals that operate in this domain are also becoming increasingly capable and resourceful.

What is the concern? 

As superyachts harness emerging technology, they are becoming ever more automated and computer-managed. This has led to far simpler control and monitoring of ship systems, including navigation, engine controls, heating and ventilation, entertainment, security and fire, to name but a few. However, despite the huge benefits that the computerisation of these systems delivers, they also present significant vulnerabilities that can be exploited.