Cybersecurity and Cyberdiplomacy in the Maritime Domain: A Strategic Engagement at Indian Maritime University, Chennai

Facilitation by the Campus Director - Adm. Amit Bose

We had the opportunity to deliver a focused session on the strategic importance of cybersecurity and cyberdiplomacy in the maritime domain at Indian Maritime University, Chennai Campus. The engagement was particularly meaningful, not only because of the relevance of the subject matter, but also due to the institutional seriousness with which maritime security—both physical and digital—is being approached today.

The session was further marked by recognition from the Campus Director, Amit Bose, whose acknowledgement underscored the growing importance of cyber considerations in maritime education and strategic planning.

The Maritime Domain as a Strategic Digital Space

Maritime infrastructure today extends far beyond ships and ports. It encompasses:

• Digitised navigation and communication systems

• Port management platforms and logistics chains

• Vessel traffic services, cargo handling systems, and offshore assets

• Data flows critical to trade, energy security, and national defence

  
  

As shipping, ports, and maritime governance become increasingly digital, the maritime domain has emerged as a critical cyber-physical space. Disruptions in this sector have cascading effects—on trade, supply chains, national security, and geopolitical stability.

Our session emphasised that maritime cybersecurity is no longer an optional add-on; it is a strategic necessity.

Why Cybersecurity in the Maritime Sector Is Different

Unlike traditional IT environments, maritime systems operate under unique constraints:

• Legacy and proprietary systems

• Safety-critical operations with minimal tolerance for downtime

• International jurisdictions and fragmented regulatory oversight

• Heavy reliance on OT, satellite communication, and navigational technologies

  
  

These factors make the maritime sector particularly vulnerable to cyber incidents—while simultaneously making mitigation and attribution more complex. We discussed how cyber risks in maritime environments demand domain-specific security thinking, rather than generic IT security models.

The Role of Cyberdiplomacy at Sea

A core theme of the session was the relevance of cyberdiplomacy in the maritime context. Maritime cyberspace does not respect national boundaries. Ships move across jurisdictions, ports operate within global trade systems, and incidents often involve multiple state and non-state actors.

Cyberdiplomacy becomes essential in:

• Developing shared norms for maritime cyber conduct

• Facilitating international cooperation on cyber incidents

• Aligning national security interests with global trade stability

• Bridging technical, legal, and diplomatic communities

  
  

We highlighted that future maritime leaders must understand not only how systems work, but also how cyber incidents are negotiated, managed, and resolved at the international level.

CyberDiplomat’s Cross-Disciplinary Approach

Our involvement in maritime cybersecurity and cyberdiplomacy stems from a belief that complex domains require cross-disciplinary solutions. At CyberDiplomat, our work spans:

• Cybersecurity and critical infrastructure protection

• Policy, diplomacy, and international cooperation

• Capacity building, training, and academic collaboration

In the maritime context, this approach enables us to connect:

• Technical security with operational safety

• Legal frameworks with incident response realities

• Academic research with practitioner insights

  
  

The session at IMU Chennai reflected this philosophy—encouraging students and faculty to think beyond silos and explore collaborative research across engineering, policy, law, and strategic studies.

Academic Institutions as Strategic Enablers

Ms. Sanjana Rathi and Maj. Gen. Bipin Bakshi - from the CyberDiplomat with the students and facilitator

Institutions like Indian Maritime University play a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of maritime professionals. By integrating cybersecurity and cyberdiplomacy into maritime education, such institutions contribute directly to:

• National maritime resilience

• Safer global shipping and trade

• India’s leadership in maritime governance and security

  
  

The discussions with students and faculty highlighted a strong appetite for research-led engagement, particularly in areas such as maritime OT security, port cyber risk management, regulatory alignment, and international cooperation.

Recognition and Responsibility

Being recognised by the campus leadership was a moment of encouragement and responsibility. It reinforced the importance of sustained engagement between practitioners and academic institutions, especially in domains that are both strategically sensitive and rapidly evolving.

More importantly, it reflected an institutional openness to new fields—cybersecurity and cyberdiplomacy—that are redefining how maritime power, safety, and cooperation are understood in the 21st century.

Looking Forward

This engagement at Indian Maritime University, Chennai, reaffirmed our belief that the future of maritime security lies at the intersection of technology, strategy, and diplomacy. As cyber risks continue to shape the maritime domain, collaborative research, education, and policy dialogue will be critical.

We look forward to deeper partnerships with maritime institutions to advance cross-disciplinary research, build indigenous expertise, and contribute meaningfully to India’s maritime and cyber future.