Coast Guard and FBI boarded 2 energy tankers due to cyberattacks. How big is the risk?

Key Points:

• U.S. Coast Guard and FBI agents boarded two Texas-bound energy tankers last month following cyberattacks, including one on the VL Prosperity, a large Liberian-flagged crude oil tanker headed to Galveston, Texas, with evidence of malicious cyber activity found onboard.
• Iranian state media claimed hackers accessed the VL Prosperity’s propulsion, navigation, and cargo systems, disrupting communications for 30 hours, though U.S. officials have not publicly attributed the attacks to Iran and continue investigating potential foreign adversaries.
• Modern commercial vessels rely heavily on internet-connected systems for critical functions like navigation and propulsion, making them vulnerable to cyberattacks that could cause safety hazards, port disruptions, or environmental damage.
• Experts warn that cyberattacks on ships do not require highly sophisticated skills due to available malicious code and AI-assisted hacking, highlighting the need for improved cybersecurity measures such as network segmentation and basic cyber hygiene.
• The Coast Guard emphasizes the growing threat to maritime infrastructure from increased connectivity and urges vessel owners and operators to enhance cybersecurity practices to prevent potentially severe economic and safety consequences.