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 trails and forensic data.
In a maritime cyber incident, time is the most important variable. Network Time Protocol (NTP) ensures that every device on the vessel—from the Bridge ECDIS to the Engine Room PLC—shares a single, accurate timestamp. Without this synchronization, correlating logs during a failure or a breach becomes technically impossible.
The Danger of “Time Drift”
Forensic Dead-Ends
If a virus spreads through the network, unsynchronized logs will show events happening in the “future” or “past,” making it impossible to find the Patient Zero device.
Certificate Failures
Modern security certificates (SSL/TLS) rely on accurate time. If an AMS server’s clock drifts too far, it may reject legitimate connections from encrypted sensors or remote access gateways.
The Solution: Hierarchical Time Distribution
For maritime OT, we do not rely on external internet time servers (like Google or NIST) because VSAT connectivity is inconsistent. Instead, we use a local “Stratum 1” source.
| Component | Source | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Master Clock | GNSS / GPS Feed | The authoritative “Source of Truth” for the entire vessel. |
| OT NTP Server | Secure Gateway / Firewall | Distributes time to isolated OT subnets (VLANs). |
| End Devices | Local NTP Clients | PLCs, HMIs, and Switches that pull time from the local server. |
Next Security Phase
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