The usage of Chinese-manufactured cranes is under discussion due to the potential risk it can cause to national security and economic stability. These special cranes are being used at different US ports. The government has issued a plan to stop their usage of malicious activities and increase the US port’s cybersecurity resilience. For that, the Biden-Harris administration has issued a comprehensive executive order.
The executive order was issued after the multiple incidents of ports, vessels, and shipping companies that came under the cyber attack were reported. Also, how these attacks were conducted was new compared to what had been experienced before. Showing the evolving technologies being used by nefarious groups. Such groups are targeting the operational technology of the maritime services, which is the technology used to control and monitor physical devices and processes.
The executive order empowers the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to directly confront maritime cyber threats, enhancing the authority of the U.S. Coast Guard to mandate cybersecurity measures for waterfront facilities and vessels. Under the new rules proposed by the Coast Guard, marine transportation systems, including critical control systems and networks, will be required to adhere to minimum cybersecurity standards to mitigate vulnerabilities and fortify defences.
Furthermore, the executive order grants the Coast Guard the capability to regulate the movement of ships that pose cyber risks to maritime infrastructure. This includes the authority to conduct inspections of facilities and vessels to identify and address potential cybersecurity vulnerabilities effectively.
The directive’s focus on Chinese ship-to-shore cranes is of particular significance, with the Coast Guard slated to issue a Maritime Security Directive centered on cyber risk management. Owners and operators will be mandated to secure cranes and associated IT and OT systems, thereby mitigating potential threats from foreign-manufactured equipment.
In tandem with the executive order, the Department of Transportation has released an advisory outlining cybersecurity best practices tailored to the maritime industry. Emphasizing the risks associated with using Chinese equipment and software, the advisory seeks to equip industry stakeholders with actionable insights to bolster cybersecurity defenses.
The executive order underscores the administration’s commitment to safeguarding critical infrastructure from cyber threats, positioning cybersecurity resilience as a cornerstone of national security strategy. By addressing vulnerabilities in the maritime sector, particularly those posed by foreign-manufactured equipment, the Biden administration aims to fortify the nation’s economic resilience and ensure the uninterrupted flow of commerce through U.S. ports.
