ClassNK establishes cross-sectional cyber security team
Classification society ClassNK says it has established a cross-sectional cyber security project team made up of ship and security experts of the Society in order to accelerate its cyber security service in response to the expanding needs of clients.
Cyber security for ships is entering a practical stage, including the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) resolution encouraging administrations 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. At the same time, consideration of more high level countermeasures envisaging the future of autonomous ships is also required of the industry.
To date, ClassNK has continued developing its basic approach and various related guidelines in order to support the industry with cyber security as shown below.
- ClassNK Cyber Security Approach (February 2019)
- Guidelines for Designing Cyber Security Onboard Ships (February)
- Cyber Security Management System for Ships (March)
- Guidelines for Software Security (June)
To efficiently and swiftly carry out certification services based on these standards, ClassNK established its cross-sectional cyber security project team made up of ship and security experts of the Society (Team leader: Senior Executive Vice President Hiroaki Sakashita). The establishing of this team will enable the Society to provide better and faster cyber security services in response to the expanding needs of clients including cyber security class notation for ships, ship/company management system certification and more.
The Cyber Security Project Team is handled by the Maritime Education and Training Certification Team at ClassNK.
Nippon Kaiji Kyokai, known as ClassNK or NK, is a ship classification society. The Society is actively engaged in a growing range of ship related activities and services aimed at contributing to promoting the protection of human life and property at sea as well as protection of the marine environment. The ClassNK is headquartered in Tokyo and in Chiba, Japan, and there are branch offices at the major Japanese and overseas cities throughout the world. As of the end of May 2016, the Society had 9,268 ships totaling over 244 million g.t. under class. This figure represents approximately 20% of the world merchant fleet currently under class.
