14 DAY TRIAL // The United States plans on investing a lot of money and energy to make sure the country’s critical infrastructures are properly protected against cyberattacks. However, according to Commander Joseph Kramek of the US Coast Guard, little attention has been paid to port facilities.
A report published by the Commander on Wednesday shows that US port facilities are highly dependent on computers. However, the US government hasn’t put too much effort into making sure they’re secure.
“The potential consequences of even a minimal disruption of the flow of goods in U.S. ports would be high,” Kramek explained.
“The zero-inventory, just-in-time delivery system that sustains the flow of U.S. commerce would grind to a halt in a matter of days; shelves at grocery stores and gas tanks at service stations would run empty. A cyber disruption affecting energy supplies would likely send a Shockwave through the U.S. and global economy,” he added.
For instance, the study shows that the Maryland Port Administration (MPA) has reported being targeted by hackers. However, since the MPA is part of the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT), it’s uncertain if the attacks have targeted the MPA or MDOT.
The MPA conducts cyber security training for employees before allowing them to access networks, and some commercial IT security applications have been deployed.
However, while the MPA appears to be aware of the risks, it doesn’t name cyber security as one of its top challenges.
“A disruption to any of MPA’s or its terminal lessees’ networked systems would quickly disrupt cargo operations and slowly ripple out to impact the one-third of the U.S. population that resides within an overnight drive of POB. And yet, the cybersecurity culture is not high,” the report reads.
Interestingly, millions of dollars have been invested by the MPA in physical security enhancements over the past year, but nothing in cyber security.
The complete report can be found here.