Metrostar cyber secures tanker fleet

The Greek tanker owner has contracted cyber-security company CyberOwl to provide protection technology for its modern Aframax, Suezmax and LR2 crude and product tankers, four months before changes to IMO’s International Shipmanagement Code requires owners to have cyber risk management within ship safety management systems.

Metrostar’s acquisition of CyberOwl’s Medulla services demonstrates its proactive approach to managing cyber risk and remaining compliant with IMO 2021 requirements, said Metrostar Management chief information officer and IT manager Matthew Maheras. “This provides us with visibility of cyber risks in a way that we previously struggled with,” he said.

“Within days of installation, their systems detected risks to our onboard systems which we were able to deal with immediately to avoid any disruptions and losses.”

CyberOwl’s Medulla platform also produces practical, incident documentation and meaningful reports to Metrostar. “These really facilitate communication of cyber risks with senior management and provide compliance assurance during inspection processes,” said Mr Maheras.

CyberOwl chief executive Daniel Ng said this contract demonstrated a growing trend in maritime companies working to manage the cyber risks to their vessel systems.

“Working with Metrostar, it is clear that they are on a mission to be at the cutting edge of cyber-secure digitalisation, becoming the leading light for the rest of the shipping sector,” said Mr Ng.

CyberOwl has worked with fleets across Europe, Asia Pacific and Africa to secure systems from cyber threats.

It has seen increasing demand for security products and services as fleet owners and managers recognise the severity of the risks and are gaining assurance on compliance with the looming IMO 2021 regulations.

Driving demand is a year-on-year increase in digital acceleration in an industry faced with adopting complex technological innovations and remote management due to this year’s Covid-19 pandemic.

Owners otherwise have little visibility as to how digital innovations impact a vessel’s cyber risk.

Ship operators, owners and managers can gain greater understanding of the cyber risks and security requirements at Riviera’s Maritime Cyber Risk Management Virtual Conference, to be held on 3 November - use this link for more details of the programme and to register to attend