EMSA holds the 3rd Maritime Cybersecurity Conference

On 3 October, the 3^rd EMSA Maritime Cybersecurity Conference took place at EMSA premises, in Lisbon. The event was attended by representatives of the European Commission, the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA), 21 countries, international and European associations, industry and academia.

The main theme of the conference was ‘Exploring options for effective information sharing in the EU on maritime cybersecurity’. The main topics covered included the effectiveness of regulation in enhancing cybersecurity in the maritime domain, industry initiatives on information sharing for maritime cybersecurity and challenges, opportunities, and the way ahead on information sharing for maritime cybersecurity.

As highlighted by our Executive Director, Ms Maja Markovčić Kostelac, during the opening of the Conference: "Cybersecurity is a multifaceted risk that goes beyond technology…no single organisation can address this risk alone. Broader cooperation and sharing of relevant information are needed."

Participants had the chance to hear from high level speakers representing the European Commission, ENISA, and the three most notable information sharing initiatives on cybersecurity in the maritime domain, namely the European Maritime ISAC, France Cyber Maritime and NORMA Cyber. During the afternoon working sessions participants were able to work in groups and explore options for the development of an information sharing function at the EU level.

This in-person event gave the opportunity to all attendees to share best practices and foster collaboration in safeguarding maritime cybersecurity. What became apparent during the conference was that there is a belief among stakeholders that a maritime-specific information sharing function on cybersecurity should be developed at the EU level.

EMSA focuses its activities on cybersecurity on two main topics for the imminent future: information sharing and capacity building.