Japanese classification society ClassNK has released its cybersecurity approach, which outlines its basic approach to ensuring on-board safety for ships.

The classification society published the Cyber Security Approach along with its guidelines for Designing Cyber Security Onboard Ships for new building designs.

The approach is said to be based on trends in international institutions and maritime bodies.

ClassNK intends to alleviate cyber risks in both information technology (IT) and operation technology (OT) systems.

The classification noted that it will recommend measures based on a combination of physical, technical, and organisational approaches.

Cybersecurity controls will be classified into different layers by society. It will spell out what each stakeholder should do for each layer.

“The society added that it will release the Cyber Security Management System for Ships as part of the ClassNK Cyber Security Series.”

The society noted that it will propose current best practices in cybersecurity controls for ships by analysing the latest information with experts.

Guidelines for Designing Cyber Security Onboard Ships for newbuilding designs include security measures from the NIST SP800-53(*) compiled for the US Government that can apply to ships and the latest IACS recommendations.

The society added that it will release the Cyber Security Management System for Ships as part of the ClassNK Cyber Security Series.

In June, ClassNK unveiled new guidelines for autonomous ship design.