CYBER security at major ports and on board vessels to ward off cyber-crime are 10 to 20 years behind office-based computer systems, leaving them vulnerable to the growing range of threats, according to KPMG security expert Wil Rockall.But Antwerp port community director John Kerkhof disagrees, believing ports are now taking cyber security seriously.
"Criminal organisations often have time and resources enough and it's only a matter of time before your company is hit. Taking precautions are the least you can do as an organisation," said Mr Kerkhof, reported Lloyd's List.
Antwerp was at the centre of a high-profile attacks from hackers between 2011 and 2013,
In response to the attacks, the Port of Antwerp established a cyber security taskforce, drawn from port-located companies and supported by Belgium's Federal Cyber Emergency Response Team, to bring the port's defences up to speed.
"The taskforce works mainly pre-emptively, by sharing best practices and learning from each other's experience," said Mr Kerkhof. Several campaigns to raise awareness have also been launched at the port.
But Mr Kerkhof believes there is more to cyber security than just the technology.
"Employees active in the port need to become much more ICT [information and communications technology] street smart - the best antivirus is the user. Cyber security is the responsibility of every ICT user," he said.
On this, KPMG security expert's Mr Rockall agrees, stressing the importance of having adequately trained staff.
"You can't just take somebody out of an office environment and say: 'Right, here's a control system, protect that in the same way'," he said.
In a further effort to beef up its online security, Antwerp port community systems also offers a new secure application for the commercial release of containers.
"With this system, the release code management is separated from the shipping agent's own systems so that hacking into one computer system does not reveal enough information to pick up a container," said Mr Kerkhof.
PORTS
22 October 2014 - 11:16
Port of Antwerp beefs up security to prevent cyber crime
CYBER security at major ports and on board vessels to ward off cyber-crime are 10 to 20 years behind office-based computer systems, leaving them vulnerable to the growing range of threats, according to KPMG security expert Wil Rockall
PORTS
22 October 2014 - 11:16
Port of Antwerp beefs up security to prevent cyber crime
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