Grigoriadis et al. present an innovative approach to maritime cybersecurity through the development of an adaptive security framework. The framework is designed to address the dynamic nature of cyber threats in maritime environments by incorporating both dynamic risk assessment and situation-driven security policy deployment.
The authors propose an extension of the MITIGATE methodology, originally devised for maritime risk assessment, to accommodate situational factors. By integrating situational awareness into the risk assessment process, the framework aims to provide fine-grained and context-specific risk estimations. This enables the framework to dynamically adapt security measures based on the prevailing situation, ensuring a more effective response to evolving cyber threats.
To operationalize this adaptive security framework, the authors introduce DynSMAUG, a situation-driven security management system. DynSMAUG facilitates the enforcement of adaptive security policies tailored to specific situations. By considering various situational parameters such as time, location, and workflows, DynSMAUG ensures that security controls are dynamically adjusted to match the level of risk associated with each situation.
The efficacy of the proposed framework is evaluated through testing in the context of maritime cargo transfer services. By leveraging both maritime-specific and generic systems employed during cargo transfer, the authors demonstrate the framework’s ability to produce dynamic risk assessments for diverse situations. The results indicate that the framework effectively automates the enforcement of adaptive security controls, thus mitigating risks in real-world scenarios.
One of the key advantages of the proposed framework is its departure from static and situation-agnostic security approaches. Unlike traditional methods that rely on worst-case risk scenarios, the adaptive security framework offers a more nuanced and context-aware approach to risk management. By dynamically adjusting security measures based on the specific conditions of each situation, the framework ensures that resources are allocated efficiently and security controls remain effective in the face of evolving threats.
In summary, this paper presents a novel adaptive security framework for maritime cybersecurity, offering a dynamic and context-sensitive approach to risk assessment and security policy enforcement. By combining advanced risk assessment methodologies with situation-driven security management, the framework provides a robust defense against cyber threats in maritime environments.
Publication Details
Title: An Adaptive, Situation-Based Risk Assessment and Security Enforcement Framework for the Maritime Sector
Authors: Christos Grigoriadis, Romain Laborde, Antonin Verdier, Panayiotis Kotzanikolaou
Year: 2022
Journal: Sensors
Publisher: MDPI
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/s22010238
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
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