How Maritime Organizations Can Prepare for the Next Era of U.S. Coast Guard Cybersecurity Oversight

By Ron Frechette | Founder & CEO | CyberSurv

For decades, the maritime industry has focused heavily on physical security, operational safety, and regulatory compliance surrounding facilities, vessels, cargo operations, and transportation systems. But as we continue deeper into the Digital Age, a new operational risk frontier is rapidly emerging across the maritime sector… Cybersecurity.

The U.S. Coast Guard’s evolving cybersecurity regulations under the Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) are creating significant discussions throughout the industry. Port operators, terminal facilities, energy companies, logistics providers, and maritime organizations are all trying to understand what these new expectations truly mean from both an operational and compliance standpoint.

The Growing Maritime Cybersecurity Challenge

What we are seeing right now across the market is not fear. It is uncertainty. Maritime organizations are trying to determine:

• What IT and OT systems fall under Coast Guard cybersecurity oversight
• How cyber incidents could contribute to Transportation Security Incidents (TSIs)
• What systems belong inside a Cybersecurity Plan (CSP)
• How to properly assess Operational Technology (OT) environments
• How to balance compliance requirements with operational continuity
• What cybersecurity assessments should be performed before exemptions or waivers can even be considered

These are not simply IT questions anymore. They are executive-level operational risk questions that will shape the future of maritime cybersecurity governance for years to come.

The reality is many maritime organizations still rely on aging infrastructure, fragmented OT environments, distributed operational systems, and limited cybersecurity staffing resources. Add evolving cybersecurity regulations into the equation, and many operators are struggling to determine where to begin. This is where strong operational partnerships become critical.

Why Operational Technology (OT) Matters

One of the biggest discussions taking place right now throughout the maritime industry revolves around understanding which systems truly impact maritime operations if compromised. For example:

• Industrial control systems
• Access control systems
• Video surveillance systems
• Tank monitoring systems
• Environmental sensors
• Operational communications systems
• Logistics and scheduling platforms
• Remote operational connectivity
• Third-party vendor integrations

As these environments become more interconnected, the cyber-attack surface expands significantly. Cybersecurity is no longer simply an IT issue. It is now a business continuity and operational resiliency issue.

Operational Technology (OT) environments have become increasingly attractive targets for cybercriminals, ransomware groups, and nation-state actors because many of these systems:

• Operate continuously
• Support critical maritime operations
• Rely on legacy technology
• Cannot easily be patched or upgraded
• Lack cybersecurity visibility
• Were never originally designed with cybersecurity in mind

AI Is Changing the Maritime Cybersecurity Landscape

At the same time, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing the cybersecurity landscape on both sides of the equation. AI is creating tremendous opportunities for maritime organizations to improve visibility, threat detection, operational efficiency, predictive analytics, and real-time monitoring across both IT and OT environments. AI-enhanced cybersecurity platforms now have the ability to identify anomalies, correlate threat activity, automate response functions, and provide faster operational intelligence than ever before.

However, AI is also increasing the sophistication and scale of cyber threats. Cybercriminals are beginning to weaponize AI to automate attacks, improve phishing campaigns, identify vulnerabilities faster, and develop more advanced malware capabilities. As maritime operations become increasingly digitized and connected, organizations must prepare for a future where AI will impact both cyber defense and cyber offense.

The organizations that begin addressing these challenges now will be significantly better positioned as cybersecurity regulations and enforcement continue to mature over the next several years. At CyberSurv, we believe the maritime industry does not need more fear-based cybersecurity marketing. The industry needs clarity.

Why CyberSurv Partnered with Seebald

That is one of the primary reasons we partnered with Seebald & Associates International. What makes this partnership especially unique is that our teams are deeply connected to the maritime community through service and operational experience. Many of us are U.S. Coast Guard veterans who understand firsthand the operational realities, mission-critical environments, and security challenges maritime organizations face every day.

Seebald brings decades of trusted maritime operational expertise, deep industry relationships, and firsthand understanding of maritime operations. CyberSurv brings modern cybersecurity leadership, AI-enhanced cybersecurity capabilities, and practical cyber risk management strategies designed to help organizations strengthen resiliency without disrupting operations.

Together, we are helping maritime organizations bridge the growing gap between operational technology, cybersecurity readiness, AI-driven threats, and evolving regulatory expectations. Our combined approach helps organizations:

• Better understand operational cyber risk
• Identify critical systems and vulnerabilities
• Improve IT and OT visibility
• Strengthen cyber governance
• Develop practical cybersecurity roadmaps
• Improve operational resiliency
• Leverage AI-enhanced cybersecurity capabilities
• Prepare for future Coast Guard cybersecurity requirements

Preparing for the Future of Maritime Cybersecurity

Most importantly, we understand this is not about checking a compliance box. It is about protecting critical maritime infrastructure, reducing operational risk, and helping organizations confidently navigate the next generation of cyber threats. The maritime industry has always adapted to changing tides. Cybersecurity readiness is simply the next wave. And AI will undoubtedly become one of the defining forces shaping the future of maritime operational resilience.

As the maritime industry continues navigating this evolving cybersecurity landscape, CyberSurv and Seebald & Associates International are actively seeking to collaborate with maritime organizations, port operators, energy providers, logistics companies, and industry partners that are looking to strengthen operational resiliency and prepare for the next era of maritime cybersecurity oversight.

If your organization is beginning to evaluate maritime cybersecurity readiness, OT security strategy, AI-driven cyber risks, or future Coast Guard cybersecurity requirements, we welcome the opportunity to start a conversation and explore how we can work together.

Wishing everyone a safe and resilient journey in cyberspace!

Complimentary Maritime Cyber Hygiene Assessment

CyberSurv and Seebald & Associates International are currently offering complimentary RiskGuard 365 maritime cyber hygiene assessments to qualified maritime organizations seeking to improve operational resilience, better understand cyber risk exposure, and prepare for evolving cybersecurity expectations across both IT and Operational Technology (OT) environments. If your organization is beginning to evaluate maritime cybersecurity readiness, AI-driven cyber risks, or future Coast Guard cybersecurity requirements, we welcome the opportunity to start a conversation and explore how we can help support your cybersecurity journey.