Tactical Defense Concepts Security Alert: Harbor Pilot's Laptop Tampered with by Foreign Master

Published Jan 11, 2007 12:01 AM by The Maritime Executive

A recent advisory has advised US harbor pilots to safeguard their laptops in the performance their duties. It appears a foreign Master, tampered with a pilot's laptop and installed an anomaly on that unit which was very suspicious. The USCG has advised pilots to safeguard their computers when on foreign vessels.

In an unrelated incident involving computer security reported in the US media, a malicious program was discovered at a foreign coast guard agency that systematically searched for documents that had shipping schedules, then forwarded them to a foreign-based e-mail address.

A US Master has also reported to us that his computer was tampered with while he was in an overseas hotel in the recent past. This incident was subsequently reported to US authorities.

It is worth mentioning that all three incidents involved the same foreign country and this has raised concerns with US-based security authorities.

• TDC Analysis:

One can only guess as to why anyone would be interested in information on the computer of a ship’s pilot, or master. But, as these unrelated incidents seem to indicate; somebody obviously is. Crews are reminded to exercise prudent security measures with laptops on or off the vessel.

• About TDC

Tactical Defense Concepts (TDC) - was created by Joseph Tenaglia and David Narby. Mr. Tenaglia is a retired United States’ Naval Commander who recognized the importance and urgency of providing threat awareness and security services to the maritime sector. Mr. Narby is a licensed merchant marine officer. Their personal experience in training thousands of maritime personnel in the government sector is the foundation for TDC’s threat awareness and security training. This experience includes developing and instructing an anti-terrorist course for Department of Defense operated and contracted vessels. Tactical Defense Concept’s services are in compliance with the United Nations International Maritime Organization (IMO), the International Ship and Port and Facility Security (ISPS) Code Amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 (SOLAS Convention) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

TDC compiles information from a variety of open government and non-government sources to address the key elements of awareness, prevention and response.