Inmarsat and Singtel executives reach maritime cybersecurity partnership. Photo: Inmarsat.

[Via Satellite 04-06-2016] Singapore Telecommunications Limited (Singtel) and Inmarsat have entered into a strategic partnership to enhance maritime cybersecurity using Trustwave’s Unified Threat Management (UTM) solution. Trustwave, the cybersecurity arm of Singtel, will provide the software-based UTM service to be integrated with Inmarsat hardware onboard ships to protect data and reduce cyber risk for maritime companies.

“The landscape of shipping is changing. As we move from traditional shipping into the ship intelligence era, the threat of cyber attacks have never been more real,” said Ronald Spithout, president of Inmarsat Maritime. “Risks from malicious attacks and unlawful access to a ship’s intelligence, its system infrastructure and networks cannot be ignored, and the shipping industry needs to take action.”

UTM offers a suite of cybersecurity defenses, such as advance firewall, anti-virus, intrusion prevention and web-filtering, which is backed by global support. Inmarsat plans to use the solution with Fleet Xpress, the company’s globally available broadband solution for maritime and offshore operators. Singtel and Inmarsat plan to launch the new maritime cybersecurity service in the second half of 2016.

“Our partnership with Inmarsat is important as it marks the first phase in rolling out Singtel cybersecurity services for Inmarsat; starting with maritime,” said Andrew Lim, managing director, business group, group enterprise at Singtel. “Shipping still moves about 90 percent of the world’s trade, hence the maritime industry is a significant backbone of the global supply chain. As maritime systems become more digital, it is imperative for the industry to protect data onboard ships against all forms of cyber attacks.”