MTU tests cyber defences with simulated port attack
The ability of Ireland to defend itself against a cyberattack on its maritime infrastructure was put to the test last week during a simulation run by Munster Technological University (MTU).
On Friday 9 October, MTU brought together personnel from the Naval Service, Defence Forces, and students from National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI) and Cyber Innovate at the Nimbus Research Centre, MTU.
Five teams took part in an exercise which involved a threat actor paralysing a port's IT systems and disabling a ship at its entrance, which effectively blocked all traffic.
The teams had to identify the key points of attack, regain control of the vessel, and support Europol in apprehending the hacker group's leader.
Dr George O'Mahony, Head of the Department of Computer Science at MTU, said that preparation for cybersecurity incidents is critical to protecting Ireland's maritime infrastructure.
"By working alongside experts from the Irish Naval Service and maritime experts, our students and researchers gain invaluable insights into the challenges facing the maritime sector.
"This type of hands-on training and collaboration is essential to building the pipeline of skilled cybersecurity professionals Ireland needs to respond to emerging threats," he said.
The event was hosted by MTU's Department of Computer Science, Cybersecurity Research and Innovation Centre, NMCI, and Cyber Innovate programme.
Cyber Innovate is a postgraduate programme designed to equip professionals with the expertise, skills and networks needed to identify significant unsolved cybersecurity problems and establish and lead new cybersecurity start-ups.
The simulation exercise was designed by Airbus in Collaboration with Cyber Innovate, the NMCI, and MTU's Department of Computer Science.
Ronan Coleman, Director of Cyber Innovate said: "Since Ireland took up the Presidency of the European Council in July this year, maritime security and defence have been a significant national focus.
"Collaboration is key, and bringing together the Irish Navy, Defence Forces, maritime experts and cybersecurity specialists offers our students the opportunity to develop deep insights into how threat actors target critical infrastructure, and also enables them to develop the skills necessary to respond to these kind of attacks, which may ultimately lead to them creating new innovative products and solutions to counteract these types of attack," he said.
In February this year, the Government unveiled Ireland's first National Maritime Security Strategy aimed at strengthening the protection of Irish waters and vital maritime infrastructure, while enhancing cooperation with EU and international partners to counter emerging threats. Malicious cyber activity targeting critical infrastructure is among the key risks identified in the strategy.