Classification society ClassNK has announced that it has established a new cross-sectional cyber security project team in order to accelerate its ability to provide the cyber security services required by its clients as the digitalisation of their operations gathers pace.
The society notes that these issues are growing in importance in light of IMO’s move to ensure that cyber risks are appropriately addressed in existing safety management systems no later than the first annual verification of the company’s Document of Compliance after 1 January 2021.
To date, ClassNK has released various guideline documents dealing with shipboard cyber issues, including four documents in 2019 covering design and implementation of cyber resilient onboard systems, as well as specific advice on maintaining software security.
To improve its ability to carry out certification services based on these standards, ClassNK says it has now established a new cross-sectional cyber security project team made up of ship and security staff from across the organisation. The new team will be led by Senior Executive Vice President Hiroaki Sakashita.