Naval Dome Completes 1st Phase of Cyber Security Tests

Israeli cyber security specialist Naval Dome has completed the pilot testing of its multi-layered cyber security system for Lloyd’s Register aboard XT Shipping’s Zim Genova.

The pilot tests, carried out as part of the classification society’s initiative to develop cyber security guidelines, and the first of their kind on a vessel in transit, evaluated the Naval Dome system’s ability to defend ships against a variety of cyber-attacks.

The 4,300 TEU Zim Genova deployed on November 13, 2017 from Colombo, Sri Lanka, visiting Port Said, Egypt, before transiting the North Atlantic to New York and Norfolk, Virginia, arriving in Wilmington, North Carolina, on January 8, 2018.

Although the Naval Dome system can be installed on multiple ship systems, the tests were confined to a back-up ECDIS (Electronic Chart Display and Information System) to mitigate against the risk of any system or operational failure. The Naval Dome cyber security system also underwent extensive terrestrial testing with the Totem Plus ECDIS prior to shipboard installation.

The tests demonstrated Naval Dome’s ability to thwart rogue and unintended system breaches. During simulated system breaches, at sea and in port, anomalies were quickly detected, with the system alerting the user and shoreside staff. System reliability was also verified.

During the test period, no system faults were detected, there were no system reboots, no noticeable system latency and zero disruption to vessel operations, the company informed.

“The pilot project has shown the effectiveness of our system in defending against cyber-attacks, while verifying crew operability and usability. The ship’s crew found the technology worked very smoothly, without impacting their day-to-day operations,” Itai Sela, CEO, Naval Dome, said.

A second phase of testing will be carried out in coming months where more extensive penetration tests will also be carried out.

“First phase pilot tests have demonstrated satisfactorily that the Naval Dome cyber security system is effective in protecting ECDIS from a cyber-attack,” Jerry Li, Lloyd’s Register’s Senior Surveyor/MMS Auditor who oversaw the tests, said.

Using intelligence agency security technology, Naval Dome’s cyber security solution is designed to prevent internal and external cyber-attacks with minimal human intervention. It integrates with existing systems and software, providing real-time cyber alerts and blocks malicious files to prevent unauthorised access to critical systems and data.