Singtel now tackles maritime cybersecurity via Inmarsat pact

By Digital News Asia April 11, 2016

Trustwave’s UTM service to be integrated with Inmarsat hardware on ships
Shipping moves about 90% of the world’s trade, industry becoming more digital

Singtel now tackles maritime cybersecurity via Inmarsat pact

SINGAPORE Telecommunications Ltd (Singtel) and Inmarsat have announced a partnership to enhance maritime cybersecurity using a Unified Threat Management (UTM) solution from Trustwave, Singtel’s cybersecurity arm.

Under the agreement, Trustwave’s software-based UTM service will be integrated with Inmarsat hardware on board ships, to protect data and reduce cyber-risk for maritime companies, Singtel and Inmarsat said in a joint statement.

Singtel acquired US-based managed security services specialist Trustwave last September, in a deal valued at US$810 million.

“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 Inmarsat Maritime president Ronald Spithout.

“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,” he added.

The UTM service offers a suite of cybersecurity defences, such as advance firewall, antivirus, intrusion prevention and web-filtering, backed by global round-the-clock support.

It will be delivered through Fleet Xpress, a global high-speed broadband solution for maritime and offshore operators, the first from a single communications provider, according to Singtel.

“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 of Business Group, Group Enterprise at Singtel.

“Shipping still moves about 90% 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 on board ships against all forms of cyber-attacks,” he added.

Singtel and Inmarsat plan to launch the new maritime cybersecurity service in the second half of 2016.