Dakar, May 6 (APS) – Naval officers from 16 countries in the Gulf of Guinea began, Monday in Dakar, a five-day training session in maritime cybersecurity, the objective of which is, among other things, to enable them to master maritime attack detection techniques and understand digital investigation techniques.
This training dedicated to cybercrime in the maritime environment is held in the Senegalese capital from Monday to Friday. It is part of the “Safe Port Project” (Port Security and Safety) financed by German Cooperation and is managed by the United Nations Institute for Study and Research (UNITAR).
It is aimed at officers working in the National Navy, Maritime Affairs, Customs, Gendarmerie, in the fishing sector and at port level, etc.
This capacity building session is organized by the Interregional Maritime Security Institute (ISMI) of the Regional Academy of Maritime Sciences and Techniques (ASSTER), in partnership with the National School of Cybersecurity with a regional vocation (ENVR).
It aims to help participants deepen their knowledge and mastery of cybersecurity offenses in the maritime environment.
This training will also allow officers to master the techniques for detecting attacks, collecting evidence and the criminal procedure in this area and to better understand digital investigation techniques.
Potential cyberattacks
”Increased interconnectivity exposes ships to potential cyberattacks such as hacking targeting navigation and communications systems and malicious manipulation of ship control systems,” noted Commissioner Papa Guèye, Dg of ENVR .
”Faced with such threats, effective management of the crime scene in the maritime environment is of paramount importance,” he said.
According to him, any cybersecurity incident must be treated with the same seriousness as in a terrestrial environment. “This includes preserving digital evidence, collecting relevant information and carefully documenting the crime scene,” he said.
Papa Guèye also explains that proper crime scene management in a maritime environment presents its own challenges. These are linked, he says, to changing environmental conditions, time constraints and the complexity of systems on board ships which can complicate the collection and analysis of digital evidence.
”Coordination between maritime authorities, law enforcement agencies and cybersecurity experts is therefore essential to ensure an effective and coordinated response,” he stressed.
Mr. Gueye warned against ”any negligence in the management of the crime scene in the maritime environment”, considering that said management is ”an essential element of cybersecurity in today’s world”.
”By neglecting the importance of maritime crime scene management, we risk underestimating the serious consequences that cyberattacks can have on maritime security, navigation and even human life,” he said. he warned.
He invited public authorities to attach great importance to the sector, through strong investment in order to sustainably protect the marine ecosystem.
”It is therefore imperative that we invest in resources and capabilities to strengthen our ability to detect, prevent and respond to cyber threats in the maritime environment,” he said.
”By recognizing its importance and investing in its capability, we can better protect our oceans, ships and maritime infrastructure against growing cyber threats,” he concluded.
ABD/ASG
