U.S. ports are critical to national logistics and trade but they are also increasingly targeted by cyberattacks. According to a World Economic Forum report, more than 90% of global ports have Outdated Technology (OT) systems vulnerable to cyber exploitation. In addition, many ports rely on third-party vendors for logistics, fueling, and maintenance services, further increasing the risk of supply chain attacks. Further compounding the issue is a lack of skilled cybersecurity professionals in many port authorities, which often operate under tight budgetary and staffing constraints.
Overcoming Unique Challenges
Ports manage a broad spectrum of digital and operational systems, including cranes, automated berth assignment, fueling systems, customs platforms, and lighting. Many of these assets are tied to aging OT hardware that lacks proper encryption and patching. Inadequate network segmentation may also allow threat actors to pivot from less secure IoT or contractor systems into critical infrastructure.
In August 2024, Port Houston, the largest U.S. Gulf Coast port, fended off an attempted cyber intrusion. The adversaries targeted its systems via a vulnerability in the ManageEngine ADSelfService Plus password‑management platform. The attacker had attempted to breach OT systems that controlled port logistics. This event underscored the maritime sector’s vulnerability to cyber disruption and the increasing sophistication of adversaries. Thankfully, this attack was thwarted and no systems compromised.
And, on a global scale, hackers linked to Russian military intelligence targeted Western defense, logistics, and transportation companies—including ports, airports, and rail systems—to gather intelligence on aid shipments to Ukraine, according to a U.S. NSA report. The hackers used old school tactics to gain access, like spearphising and exploiting security vulnerabilities of off-site, personal devices.
Ports face unique challenges as they use cloud-based logistics tools and smart IoT devices for automated cranes, smart gates, and berth scheduling systems. These often communicate across flat networks, which, without proper segmentation and monitoring, can become conduits for malware and remote access exploits.
How can MGT help?
Our certified engineers and experts deliver port-focused managed IT services designed to meet maritime cybersecurity needs. Our collective years of experience include decades of knowledge in the most sophisticated attacks and responses specific to the industry. We support:
- MDR and EDR as a Service: monitoring endpoints across OT, IT, and IoT environments for lateral movement and abnormal behaviors.
- Network Segmentation Consulting: helping ports isolate contractor, tenant, and critical infrastructure zones with VLAN policies and access controls.
- Vendor Access Management: defining remote access standards, logging activity, and integrating with secure credentialing platforms.
- DDoS Monitoring and Mitigation: protecting public customs portals and logistics dashboards against service disruptions.
- Cybersecurity Health Checks, Vulnerability Scanning, & Patch Management: strengthening defense-in-depth without overwhelming local staff.
- Incident Response Preparedness: including helping support and set-up tabletop exercises and recovery workflows tailored to U.S. Coast Guard MTSA regulations.
- Lifecycle and Asset Management: identifying and phasing out legacy equipment to reduce exposure. Our robust technology partnerships provide our clients with the best tools and pricing.
- Compliance Consulting: guiding port leadership through MTSA, NIST, and ISO standards to align internal protocols with regulatory expectations.
MGT’s holistic service approach not only plugs immediate vulnerabilities but also builds long-term resilience through regular audits and cyber risk assessments.
Conclusion
As ports modernize and become more interconnected, they
must defend against a broad range of cyber risks. MGT’s managed and co-managed solutions deliver scalable, regulation-ready solutions that reduce threats, enable visibility, and protect port operations without increasing internal IT headcount.
By fostering a culture of cybersecurity readiness and providing 24×7 oversight, MGT enables ports to operate with confidence in an evolving threat landscape. We’ll help our clients:
- Ensure compliance with U.S. Coast Guard MTSA and other federal maritime cybersecurity guidelines.
- Reduce exposure to ransomware and lateral movement through proactive segmentation and monitoring.
- Enhance uptime for customs and cargo operations with fast detection and response capabilities.
- Streamline vendor and tenant access management while maintaining security and auditability.
- Improve operational efficiency through centralized monitoring and reduced downtime.
- Strengthen organizational cybersecurity culture through regular training and simulation exercises.
- Increase visibility of connected assets, supporting inventory management and proactive defense planning.
