The message arrived at 3:17 AM on a Saturday. The shipping company's IT director was awakened by an urgent alert: unauthorised access detected in their communication systems. By dawn, key operational emails were inaccessible, scheduling systems compromised, and sensitive commercial negotiations exposed. Their vessels continued sailing, but the shore-based teams guiding them were effectively blind.

This scenario has become increasingly common in the maritime industry. According to DNV, in the 12 months leading up to October 2024, 31% of maritime professionals reported experiencing at least one cyber-attack, a substantial increase from 17% over the previous five years. The reason is clear: maritime communications contain valuable data, from commercial negotiations and cargo details to vessel movements and regulatory documentation.

In an industry where operational continuity impacts safety and global trade stability, communication security isn't merely an IT concern, it's a strategic imperative.

The Evolving Maritime Security Landscape

Maritime operations face unique security challenges that generic solutions often fail to address. Vessels communicate across jurisdictions through varied connectivity methods and exchange sensitive information with diverse stakeholders, each representing a potential vulnerability.

These challenges are compounded by a rapidly evolving threat landscape. The U.S. Coast Guard's Cyber Trends and Insights report reveals that ransomware incidents increased by 80% from 2022 to 2023, with the average requested ransom more than tripling. Recent high-profile incidents show attackers specifically targeting shipping communications, recognising their high value and the operational disruption their compromise causes.

The financial stakes are escalating significantly. CyberOwl reports that the average cost of a cyber-attack in the maritime industry has risen to $550,000, up from $182,000 in 2022.

In response to these growing threats, regulatory requirements have tightened considerably. The IMO's cybersecurity guidelines now explicitly require shipping companies to address communication system risks, with non-compliance potentially affecting certification and insurance.

The True Cost of Security Breaches

When maritime communications are compromised, the impact extends far beyond mere inconvenience:

• Operational disruption: When communication systems fail, coordination breaks down, leading to delays and potentially unsafe conditions
• Commercial damage: Exposed negotiations and pricing details can undermine competitive positioning
• Regulatory penalties: Data breaches often trigger reporting requirements and potential fines
• Reputational impact: Trust takes years to build but can be shattered by a single security incident

For operations that rely on digital communications for critical decision-making, these risks represent an existential threat to business continuity and profitability.

Sedna's Security-First Approach

At Sedna, we recognise that maritime operations require security solutions as robust as the vessels themselves. Our approach is built on a fundamental principle: security isn't a feature, it's our foundation.

This security-first philosophy includes:

• ISO 27001 and 27701 certification: Internationally recognised standards for information security and privacy management
• Comprehensive encryption: Communications secured both in transit and at rest
• Advanced threat protection: Proactive monitoring and prevention of unauthorised access
• Regular penetration testing: Independent experts continuously test our defences
• Secure development practices: Security built into our product development lifecycle

Unlike generic email systems treating security as an add-on, Sedna's platform was designed from first principles to protect the sensitive communications maritime organisations exchange daily.

Enterprise-Grade Protection for Maritime Communications

Building on our security foundation, Sedna's enterprise-grade features address maritime-specific needs:

• Advanced authentication: Multi-factor authentication ensures only authorised personnel access sensitive communications
• Granular access controls: Precise permissions enable collaboration while maintaining information boundaries
• Message and attachment security: Comprehensive protection for all communication content
• Audit trails: Complete visibility into communication workflows for compliance monitoring
• Intelligent threat detection: Systems that recognise unusual patterns that may indicate compromise

These capabilities provide confidence that sensitive communications, from commercial negotiations to operational instructions, remain protected throughout their lifecycle.

Data Privacy and Business Continuity

Privacy protection and operational resilience are equally critical for maritime communications. Sedna's approach to data privacy establishes a comprehensive framework for responsible data stewardship:

• Global privacy compliance: Capabilities for meeting evolving requirements across jurisdictions
• Data minimisation: Collecting only what's necessary for operational purposes
• Automated personal data identification: Tools that help protect sensitive personal information
• Geographical data controls: Options for controlling where your data resides

For business continuity, we ensure your communication systems remain operational with:

• 99.9% uptime guarantee: Infrastructure designed for maximum reliability
• Comprehensive backup systems: Multiple redundancies to prevent data loss
• ‍Rapid disaster recovery: Procedures designed to restore service quickly when incidents occur

Client Success and the Sedna Advantage

Maritime organisations using Sedna have experienced tangible security and operational benefits.

Norvic Shipping, managing over 100 vessels and processing up to 2,000 emails daily per operator, needed a secure platform that would protect their sensitive operational data while improving efficiency.

By implementing Sedna's cloud-based platform, Norvic securely migrated nearly 2 million historical emails, eliminating the security vulnerabilities of their on-premise servers while saving 8 hours per week per operator.

"Sedna tags your emails for you...internal emails have dropped dramatically because we don't send emails anymore, we share them between the teams," explains Majbritt Jacobsen, Head of Business Process & Applications at Norvic Shipping.

What distinguishes Sedna's security approach?

1. Industry-specific security focus: Protection designed for maritime communication patterns and threats
2. Unified security posture: Comprehensive protection across the entire communication lifecycle
3. Balance of security and usability: Robust protection that enhances rather than impedes efficiency
4. ‍Continuous evolution: Security capabilities that adapt to the evolving threat landscape

Securing Your Maritime Communications

As maritime operations become increasingly digital, the security of your communications becomes proportionally more critical to your competitive advantage and operational resilience.

Sedna provides the confidence that your communication systems are protected by security measures specifically designed for your unique operational context. Our platform enables teams to collaborate efficiently while maintaining the highest standards of data protection and privacy.

In today's maritime landscape, communication security isn't optional, it's essential. Sedna's purpose-built security capabilities ensure your organisation can navigate the digital seas with the same confidence you bring to navigating the world's oceans.

To learn more about how Sedna protects your communications while enhancing operational efficiency, contact our team for a detailed briefing.

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