A newly published maritime cyber threat white paper has warned of a significant increase in attacks targeting shipboard Operational Technology (OT), with analysis of incidents from 2024 and 2025 showed a 103% year-on-year surge in threats targeting the interface between Information Technology (IT) and OT.
The 2026 Maritime Cyber Threat White Paper published by Korean company CYTUR highlights the rise of supply chain attacks and asset forgery, where attackers exploit vulnerabilities in onboard software to paralyse multiple vessels simultaneously.
The company noted that the rapid adoption of higher bandwidth satellite communications systems has expanded the available attack surface, allowing attackers to more easily transmit fabricated commands or forge vessel data.
“The incident data from 2024 and 2025 proves that maritime cybersecurity is no longer an ‘option’ but a matter directly linked to a vessel’s ‘right to operate’,” said Cho Yong Hyun, Chief Executive Officer of CYTUR.
The paper notes that 2026 will be a significant year in the evolution of maritime cyber security as vessels contracted after the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) Unified Requirement (UR) E26 and E27 regulations came into force begin to be delivered. Failure to meet these cybersecurity standards during sea trials may render ship delivery impossible.
The report is available to download here.
