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Cybersecurity risk assessment of VDR

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 January 2023

Ömer Söner Open the ORCID record for Ömer Söner [Opens in a new window] ,
Gizem Kayisoglu ,
Pelin Bolat  and
Kimberly Tam
Ömer Söner*
Affiliation:
Department of Maritime Transportation Management Engineering in Maritime Faculty, Van Yuzuncu Yıl University, Van, Türkiye
Gizem Kayisoglu
Affiliation:
Department of Maritime Transportation Management Engineering in Maritime Faculty, Istanbul Technical University, Istanbul, Türkiye
Pelin Bolat
Affiliation:
Department of Basic Sciences in Maritime Faculty, Istanbul Technical University, Istanbul, Türkiye
Kimberly Tam
Affiliation:
School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK
*
*Corresponding author. E-mail: soneromer023@gmail.com
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Abstract

The voyage data recorder (VDR) is a data recording system that aims to provide all navigational, positional, communicational, sensor, control and command information for data-driven investigation of accidents onboard ships. Due to the increasing dependence on interconnected networks, cybersecurity threats are one of the most severe issues and critical problems when it comes to safeguarding sensitive information and assets. Cybersecurity issues are extremely important for the VDR, considering that modern VDRs may have internet connections for data transfer, network links to the ship's critical systems and the capacity to record potentially sensitive data. Thus, this research adopted failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) to perform a cybersecurity risk assessment of a VDR in order to identify cyber vulnerabilities and specific cyberattacks that might be launched against the VDR. The findings of the study indicate certain cyberattacks (false information, command injection, viruses) as well as specific VDR components (data acquisition unit (DAU), remote access, playback software) that required special attention. Accordingly, preventative and control measures to improve VDR cybersecurity have been discussed in detail. This research makes a contribution significantly to the improvement of ship safety management systems, particularly in terms of cybersecurity.

Keywords

maritimecybersecurityrisk assessmentVDRFMEA
Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Navigation , Volume 76 , Issue 1 , January 2023 , pp. 20 - 37
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Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2023. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of The Royal Institute of Navigation

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