ECDIS Launches Two New Cyber Security Awareness Courses

ECDIS Ltd have expanded their 35+ strong training portfolio with two new courses; Cyber Security Awareness (CSA) Operators and Management Courses. The courses cover a wide range of topics from "What is Cyber Security" to "Risks of the Internet" and "Hacking" as well as looking into a case study from a large American company who staged a cyber-attack.

The course has been developed and delivered to the maritime industry in response to the ever increasing recognition of its impact both onboard and ashore. The effect of cyber-attacks can be detrimental not only to company finances due to delay but also the safety of the crew and passengers.

A pilot of the course was run on 6th December to gain invaluable feedback from the students, it has proven to be a popular course with Simon Jobb of Condor Ferries said that the course was "Productive all round."

Their goal is to be the world's first to receive MCA approval by writing the course in accordance with the IMO’s Interim Guidelines for Cyber Security, as well as Bimco’s Cyber Security Guidance and the STCW Table A-VI/6-1 and A-VI/5. From STCW/CONF.2/34

The writer and instructor of the courses George Ward said:

"The course went well, we are feeling positive that this will be an invaluable tool for all shipping companies to gain insight into where they can improve their systems and indeed their company practices with regards to preventing cyber-attacks"

The courses have been designed as standalone courses, or as an add-on to the existing MCA Approved Bridge Team Management (BTM) course as bridge teams are at the forefront of cyber-attacks.