Hacktivism is not a recent phenomenon. The first reference of malicious hacking was during the 1960s and since then digitalization has exploded and along with it the number of threats and attacks.

This month's edition of the Maritime Reporter and Engineering News focused on maritime port and ship security.

On July 12, 2017, the United States Coast Guard (USCG) announced a draft Navigation and Inspection Circular (NVIC) 05-17 entitled "Guidelines for Addressing Cyber Risks at Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) Regulated Facilities."

Maritime companies can no longer be passive when it comes to cybersecurity, and applying software patches and updates must be a top priority. Again, the Petya cyberattack from late June specifically targeted specifically exploited vulnerabilities within unpatched systems and networks.

Another global cyberattack has plagued a myriad of countries, industries, and individuals. The maritime industry was very much impacted by the Petya ransomware attack, and its most public victim was Maersk.

Allianz recently published the 2017 edition of its Safety and Shipping Review, the company's annual overview of trends and developments in shipping safety, highlighting the benefits accruing from modern technologies while also warning of potential risks through overreliance on information technology (IT) and the growing threat of cyberattacks.

The world is changing, and every business sector and industry will go through a digital revolution. It will bring changes to existing business models and offer new opportunities, even in the maritime industry. These improvements will benefit the industry, with higher degrees of efficiency, safety and reduced environmental footprints. However, maritime organizations must understand that with digitalization comes potential cybersecurity threats.

The impact of the WannaCry ransomware attack is unprecedented, affecting more than 200,000 devices in at least 150 countries in recent weeks. It brings to light how all industries, even maritime, are vulnerable to cybersecurity risk and the repercussions it can have.

WARMINSTER, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--James Espino, the current President of Gnostech Inc., acquired the controlling ownership of the company from Braxton Science & Technology Group (BSTG) on May 19, 2017.

Say your company is ready to defend itself against cybersecurity and implement a mitigation program, what is next? New or revised cybersecurity regulations, frameworks, executive orders and/or guidance surface regularly to assist organizations, governments, other entities in bolstering their cybersecurity programs.