Maritime aspects of the latest U.S. National Cyber Strategy

Those among you who have read the latest U.S. National Cyber Strategy, published in September and signed by President Trump himself, will have noticed several interesting points related to cyber and maritime issues. These appear on page 18 of the document (just before the section on the space sector). Below is a quick copy/paste of the relevant paragraph:

IMPROVING CYBERSECURITY IN THE TRANSPORTATION AND MARITIME SECTORS:

The national security and economy of the United States depend on global trade and transportation. Our ability to ensure the free and timely movement of goods, maintain open sea and air routes, secure access to oil and natural gas, and guarantee the availability of associated critical infrastructure is essential to both our economy and our national security.

As these sectors have modernized, they have also become more vulnerable to cyber exploitation and attacks. Maritime cybersecurity is particularly affected, as disruptions or delays in deliveries can lead to interruptions in strategic sectors of the economy, with potentially cascading effects.

Given the critical importance of maritime transportation to the United States and the global economy—and the relatively limited investments made so far to reduce these risks—the United States will move quickly to clarify roles and responsibilities for maritime cybersecurity, promote improved mechanisms for international coordination and information sharing, and accelerate the development of the next generation of resilient maritime infrastructure.

The United States will ensure the uninterrupted transport of goods in the face of any threat that could, through cyber means, compromise this inherently international infrastructure.