In our examination conducted with 172 individuals in the maritime sector, 75% of the participants expressed a preference for live training. In response to this feedback, we aimed to tailor our provided training sessions to be delivered live (online/onsite), aligning with the general preferences of the maritime industry. Furthermore, our research indicated that the effectiveness of training is higher in live sessions, prompting us to prioritize this approach.
We are aware that many alternative training firms struggle to provide live training. The primary reasons for this include difficulties in finding experts in maritime cybersecurity and a desire for higher profits. Consequently, some companies resort to preparing programs on Learning Management Systems (LMS) using open sources, even though the effectiveness of such programs remains unproven. This approach allows them to evade questions that learners may ask during the training sessions. In contrast, our company, Cyber Onboard, was founded by Aybars Oruc, who has presented at significant events as an invitee of institutions like NATO. During our live training sessions, learners can find answers to their questions and actively participate in discussions.
In the current landscape, many training programs in the industry focus solely on standard IT topics, such as email security and the importance of antivirus usage. However, Cyber Onboard distinguishes itself by offering a modular training approach. Each module covers different areas, encompassing not only IT-related cyber risks but also specific cyber threats that vessels may encounter (e.g., GPS spoofing), IMO cybersecurity regulations and recommendations, flag state requirements, vetting criteria, cybersecurity investments, and more. This modular structure allows companies to tailor their training curriculum according to their specific needs, selecting modules and topics that align with their requirements. It’s important to note that the cyber risks faced by a Chief Officer differ from those encountered by a Second Engineer. Therefore, vetting programs like SIRE and credited maritime organizations like BIMCO advocate for role-specific training. Through its modular training offerings, Cyber Onboard stands out by providing role-specific training for both office and onboard personnel, catering to the unique responsibilities of each role within the maritime sector.
Our training programs have been developed and evaluated using entirely scientific methods. Before offering our training to you, we evaluated it with 4 different pilot groups. We subjected our pilot groups to two different exams, one before and one after the training. The exam results clearly demonstrate the effectiveness of our training. Following the training, it was observed that the exam scores of industry professionals increased by 47% to 81%. This success proves the quality of our program and the significant improvement in participants' cybersecurity knowledge.
