ICHCA community to discuss how to protect global cargo chain against physical and cyber attacks

ICHCA will use its 65th anniversary conference in October to tackle risks to the cyber and physical security of the global cargo chain

10.08.2017 – Following the Petya attack in June, one of the biggest cyber-attacks ever experienced in global shipping which crippled A.P. Moller-Maersk’s computer systems worldwide for 5 days, the need to protect against both cyber and physical threats to critical maritime infrastructures has been topmost on the minds of many in the cargo handling industry. Responding to this, ICHCA International, the voice of global cargo handling, has picked issues surrounding security as one of five key areas for focused discussions at its 65th anniversary event which takes place in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, 2-6 October 2017.

Part of ICHCA’s #makeitsecure campaign, the Physical and Cyber Security session on Day 2 of the ICHCA Conference will feature a presentation from Rafael Company, R&D Project Manager, Valenciaport Foundation who will present the SAURON project (Scalable multidimensional situation awareness solution for protecting European ports) which aims to keep ports secure by taking a holistic view of critical infrastructures. The system combines and interlinks physical and cyber security systems to analyse vulnerabilities and interdependencies. ICHCA International was pleased to talk to Mr Company at length about the project in a recent guest editorial.

Joining him from Novae, a diversified property and casualty (re)insurance business operating through Syndicate 2007 at Lloyd’s of London, will be Sharif Gardner, Head of Training Underwriting – Marine, Aviation, Political Risk & Specialty. Mr Gardner is responsible for shaping the education of Brokers, Underwriters and End-Clients on cyber security risks and has been involved with the launch of the new ‘Be Cyber Aware At Sea’ campaign, of which ICHCA is proud to be a supporter. Also speaking in the session will be David Fairnie, Principal Consultant, Supply Chain Security at EMEA, BSI; Jorge Martin Diaz de Espada, HSSE Global Manager at Terminal Investment Limited; and Cecilia Muller Torbrand, Programme Director of the Maritime Anti-Corruption Network (MACN).

The session will examine security challenges and responses, different industry initiatives on cyber security, how to marry security with the need for speed in cargo handling operations, how to share information securely, how to secure the physical environment and it will look at systems that provide solutions to multidimensional security issues.

“The nature of the global cargo chain makes it particularly vulnerable to security threats given the involvement of multiple parties cooperating and sharing information and systems”, says Rachael White, CEO Secretariat of ICHCA International. “Moreover, there has been a notable lack of consideration given to cyber-threats by regulators and industry stakeholders alike until very recently. Despite these challenges, it is critical to the future of cargo operations that the industry engenders a change in security culture to incorporate cyber security issues. We need to embrace new mechanisms and technologies that will enable us to improve the security of the global cargo chain.”

How blockchain technology and the Internet of Things could potentially improve security in the cargo chain will be a topic for discussion in the Conference’s SMART session, also on Day 2.

ICHCA’s flagship event will bring together the big names in cargo handling to discuss the best ways to improve as an industry. Keynote speeches will be delivered by Mr Westwood-Booth, Senior Deputy Director of the Sub-Division for Marine Technology and Cargoes in the Maritime Safety Division at the International Maritime Organization; Günther Bonz, President, FEPORT; and Olaf Merk, Administrator Ports and Shipping, International Transport Forum, OECD.

The 2-day conference is staged as part of an extensive programme that also includes an exhibition of products and services, site visit to the Port of Las Palmas – a key hub for African international trade – and icebreaker reception on 2 October and 65th Anniversary Reception & Awards Evening, on 3 October, where winners will be announced for ICHCA’s 2nd TT Club Innovation in Safety Award, the Annual Las Palmas Port Awards and special ICHCA John Strang A.O. Memorial Award for a significant contribution to the cargo handling industry. The Conference & Exhibition will be followed by the 78th meeting of ICHCA’s ISP Technical Panel on 5 October and annual CARC meeting on 6 October. Global Shippers Forum will also host its AGM on 2 October as part of the week-long gathering.

ENDS

Information for the media:

For more information on this release, please contact Holly Thompson, Communications Officer at ICHCA International.

Tel: +44 (0)20 3327 7560 | Email: holly.thompson@ichca.com

About ICHCA International

Established in 1952, ICHCA International is an independent, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to improving the safety, productivity and efficiency of cargo handling and movement worldwide. ICHCA’s privileged NGO status enables it to represent its members, and the cargo handling industry at large, in front of national and international agencies and regulatory bodies, while its ISP Technical Panel provides best practice advice and develops publications on a wide range of practical cargo handling issues.

Operating through a series of national and regional chapters – including ICHCA Australia, ICHCA Japan and ICHCA Canarias/Africa (CARC) – plus Correspondence and Working Groups, ICHCA provides a focal point for informing, educating, lobbying and networking to improve knowledge and best practice across the cargo handling chain.

www.ichca.com | www.ichca-australia.com

Holly Thompson2022-12-14T15:27:27+00:00August 10th, 2017|