ABS Technical Seminars Advance Cybersecurity Knowledge

(Houston) ABS, a leading provider of classification and technical services to the marine and offshore industries, brought together nearly 100 industry leaders, government officials, technical experts, and academic leaders in Singapore to discuss cyber-related threats and risks in the marine environment and explain the value of the ABS CyberSafety™ program. The seminar is one of many ABS is hosting across Asia, Europe and the Americas currently.

“ABS understands the cyber challenges owners and operators face today with increased software integration and greater levels of automation,” says ABS Chief Technology Officer Howard Fireman. “These seminars address the actions needed to go beyond a step-by-step approach and deliver an integrated, holistic view of systems, assets and facilities to provide confidence for owners and operators that a multi-dimensional safety component is well-engineered and operated competently.”

The ABS CyberSafety program equips ship and asset owners, vendors and managers with the first risk-based management tool for mitigating risks connected to cyber security, automated systems safety, data integrity and software verification. With its cybersafety program, ABS has compiled an industry standard with actionable items to improve cyber intelligence and security implementation. This suite of tiered services and optional notations supports a risk-based approach to tackling some of today’s most pressing cyber concerns.

“Our unique approach to cybersafety delivers the only actionable guidance directly related to asset and facility security,” Fireman says. “The ABS CyberSafety program addresses both Information Technology and Operational Technology technical and management challenges. It provides a comprehensive assessment of cyber-enabled systems at sea or on shore.”

From the ABS Guides, optional certification and Classification Notations can be obtained to verify cyber security plans and programs for assets and facilities as well as integrated and non-integrated control systems, including factors for software quality management, product design assessment and unit software systems.

“Fostering collaboration among industry leaders through these seminars ensures ABS will continue to lead the cyber conversation and evolve the industry’s most practical and actionable guidance into the ABS CyberSafety program,” Fireman says.

About ABS
Founded in 1862, ABS is a leading international classification organization devoted to promoting the security of life and property and preserving the natural environment through the development and verification of standards for the design, construction and operational maintenance of marine and offshore assets.