Cybersecurity for Maritime Operational Technology (OT) (Classroom & Asynchronous e-Learning)
About This Course
This programme is designed for engineering and Information Technology (IT) professionals in the maritime sector, equipping them with the knowledge and practical skills to identify and respond to cybersecurity threats in modern maritime Operational Technology (OT) environments.
Participants begin with an asynchronous online module covering core information security principles and cyber defence concepts aligned with recognised industry frameworks. This establishes a common baseline of cybersecurity literacy across participants from diverse backgrounds.
The programme then transitions into the maritime domain, introducing the engineering systems that support ship operations, including power generation, automation, navigation, electronics and piping systems. Participants gain insight into how cyber‑physical systems enable vessel operations and how digital transformation is reshaping ship‑to‑shore connectivity.
The course further explores Industrial Control Systems (ICS) and OT cybersecurity using the Purdue model as a reference. Participants examine control system architectures, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) and automation systems, and common vulnerabilities in operational environments. Hands‑on activities support the identification of attack surfaces, network behaviour analysis and defensive considerations for real‑world maritime ICS.
Participants are also introduced to Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI), learning to interpret threat trends, assess emerging risks and apply intelligence to enhance maritime cyber resilience, including exposure to national‑level monitoring and response capabilities.
The programme culminates in a cyber‑drill on the MariOT testbed, where participants practise detecting, responding to and mitigating simulated cyberattacks, bridging theory and practice in maritime OT cybersecurity.
What You'll Learn
• Understand cybersecurity within the broader context of global shipping and Maritime Singapore, including its impact on safety, resilience and operational continuity.
• Develop competency in typical shipboard systems by understanding their operational functions, interdependencies and roles in supporting vessel operations.
• Acquire practical knowledge of common ship navigation and control systems, including associated processes, communications technologies and network architectures used onboard modern vessels.
• Understand key frameworks for Operational Technology (OT) security governance, such as International Electrotechnical Commission 62443 series (IEC 62443), International Organization for Standardization / International Electrotechnical Commission 27001 (ISO/IEC 27001), International Association of Classification Societies Unified Requirements E26 and E27 (UR E26 and E27), and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework, and explain how these frameworks align with and support the International Maritime Organization (IMO) cybersecurity guidelines.
• Become familiar with Singapore’s maritime cybersecurity ecosystem, including national infrastructure and available capabilities, and learn how to leverage these resources to operate safely and securely within Singapore’s maritime domain.
Entry Requirements
No prior deep cybersecurity expertise is necessary, though familiarity with IT or operational systems is an advantage.