Wireless & Bluetooth Hardening
Requirement: This module addresses IACS UR E26 (Section 4.1) regarding wireless communication security. It mandates that all wireless OT conduits must use industry-standard encryption and prevent unauthorized bridging between IT and OT.
Wireless technology on ships—from Bluetooth vibration sensors to Wi-Fi tablets for engine rounds—offers operational efficiency but expands the attack surface. Unlike a physical cable, wireless signals travel through bulkheads, meaning an attacker in a pilot boat or on a nearby pier could potentially access your OT backbone without ever stepping on deck.
The Invisible Threat: Shadow Wireless
Rogue Access Points
Crew members often install “travel routers” in the ECR to extend Wi-Fi. These devices rarely have enterprise-grade security and create an unmonitored back-door into the vessel’s network.
Vulnerable Bluetooth
Industrial sensors often use default pairing codes (e.g., 0000). Without hardening, an attacker can spoof sensor data or hijack the connection to gain insight into machinery health.
The Solution: Defending the Airwaves
Securing wireless OT requires a combination of signal management, robust encryption, and strict authentication protocols.
| Protocol | Hardening Standard | Recommended Action |
|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi (OT) | WPA3-Enterprise | Disable SSID broadcasting (Hidden) & use certificate-based auth. |
| Bluetooth | Secure Simple Pairing (SSP) | Disable “Discoverable” mode and use non-default, complex PINs. |
| RF / LoRaWAN | AES-128 Encryption | Ensure end-to-end encryption is enabled at the gateway level. |
Next Security Phase
Trusted Time (NTP) Management
Trusted Time (NTP) Management Requirement: This module addresses IACS UR E26 (Section 4.4) and E27 requirements for logging and monitoring. It mandates that all cyber-relevant assets must maintain synchronized time to ensure the integrity of audit tr...