Maritime unprepared for cyber attacks

Nearly 80 percent of large American maritime industry companies surveyed in an inaugural Maritime Cyber-Security Survey reported cyber-attacks targeted their companies within the past 12 months. The survey, which was conducted by Jones Walker LLP of New Orleans, indicated that with rapidly evolving technologies throughout the U.S. industry to help increase efficiencies and competitiveness have also presented major cyber-security risks, which the industry is unprepared to shoulder. Thirty-eight percent of all industry respondents reported cyber-attackers targeted their companies. Ten percent reported that the data breach was successful, while 28 percent reported that attempts were thwarted. There is a false sense of preparedness in the maritime industry, according to the survey. Six-nine percent of respondents expressed confidence in the industry's overall cyber-security readiness, but 64 percent indicated their companies were unprepared to handle the far-reaching business, financial, regulatory, and public relations consequences of a data breach. (Source: Maritime Logistics 10/29/18) Jones Walker is the largest law firm in New Orleans. Its principal areas of practice include admiralty and maritime, labor and employment, litigation, business and finance, energy, estates and tax, and corporate and securities.