Incident Response Plan Template for the Maritime Sector

Supporting compliance with IMO Resolution MSC.428(98)

1. Introduction

• Purpose:
  The purpose of this Incident Response Plan (IRP) is to provide a structured approach for detecting, responding to, and recovering from cybersecurity incidents that may affect the safety, security, and operations of the organisation.

• Scope:
  This plan applies to all maritime assets, including ships, ports, terminals, IT systems, and operational technology (OT). It covers both internal and external threats.

2. Objectives

The objectives of this plan are to:

1. Minimise the impact of cybersecurity incidents on safety, operations, and business continuity.

2. Ensure timely detection and response to threats.

3. Protect sensitive data and critical infrastructure.

4. Comply with IMO Resolution MSC.428(98) and other relevant regulations.

5. Provide a framework for continuous improvement of incident response processes.

3. Roles and Responsibilities

Incident Response Team (IRT):
Responsible for coordinating all response activities. Members may include:

• Incident Response Lead: Oversees the response process and makes key decisions.

• IT/OT Security Specialist: Analyses threats and implements technical measures.

• Operations Manager: Coordinates with vessel or port operations to mitigate impact.

• Legal/Compliance Officer: Ensures regulatory compliance and oversees external notifications.

• Communications Officer: Manages internal and external communications.

Each team member's responsibilities should be clearly defined.

4. Incident Classification

Classify incidents to determine the appropriate level of response. Categories may include:

1. Low Severity: Minor incidents with minimal impact (e.g., failed login attempts, non-critical system issues).

2. Medium Severity: Incidents affecting operations but manageable without major disruption (e.g., malware detected on a single system).

3. High Severity: Critical incidents causing significant operational, safety, or data compromise (e.g., ransomware attack affecting navigation systems).

The classification should guide escalation procedures and resource allocation.

5. Incident Response Phases

5.1. Preparation

• Implement preventative security measures (e.g., firewalls, antivirus software, access controls).

• Provide regular cybersecurity awareness training for crew and staff.

• Maintain up-to-date incident response tools, playbooks, and contact lists.

• Define communication protocols for notifying relevant stakeholders.

5.2. Detection and Analysis

• Identify Indicators of Compromise (IoCs):
  Monitor logs, alerts, and reports for signs of suspicious activity. Examples include:

  • Unauthorised access attempts.

  • Unusual system behaviour.

  • Data exfiltration or communication with known malicious IPs.

• Initial Assessment:
  Determine the nature, scope, and potential impact of the incident. Questions to address:

  • Which systems are affected?

  • What type of data or operations are at risk?

  • Is the incident ongoing?

• Document findings for further analysis.

5.3. Containment

• Immediate Actions:

  • Isolate affected systems to prevent further spread (e.g., disconnect from the network).

  • Disable compromised accounts or access points.

• Short-Term Containment:
  Implement temporary fixes (e.g., blocking malicious IPs) to contain the threat while maintaining critical operations.

• Long-Term Containment:
  Develop a strategy for restoring affected systems and ensuring the incident does not recur.

5.4. Eradication

• Identify and remove the root cause of the incident (e.g., malware, unauthorised access).

• Apply security patches, reconfigure systems, and strengthen access controls.

• Conduct a thorough review to ensure all traces of the threat have been eliminated.

5.5. Recovery

• Restore Systems:
  Rebuild and verify affected systems, ensuring data integrity and operational readiness.

• Validate Security:
  Test security measures to confirm that vulnerabilities have been addressed.

• Resume Normal Operations:
  Coordinate with operations teams to fully restore services and processes.

5.6. Post-Incident Review

• Conduct a post-incident review to evaluate the effectiveness of the response.

• Document key findings, including:

  • What caused the incident?

  • How was the incident detected and contained?

  • Were there any delays or challenges during the response?

  • What improvements can be made to the response plan?

• Share lessons learned with relevant stakeholders and update response procedures as needed.

6. Communication and Reporting

6.1. Internal Communication

• Notify key personnel, including the Incident Response Team, senior management, and affected departments.

• Provide regular status updates throughout the response process.

6.2. External Communication

• Notify external stakeholders as required, including:

  • Port authorities and maritime regulators.

  • Customers and business partners.

  • Cybersecurity agencies (e.g., CSIRTs).

  • Insurance providers.

• Regulatory Reporting:
  For incidents involving personal data or critical infrastructure, comply with reporting obligations under:

  • IMO Resolution MSC.428(98).

  • National regulations (e.g., GDPR, NIS2).

Ensure that reports include a summary of the incident, actions taken, and impact assessment.

7. Tools and Resources

Maintain an inventory of tools and resources to support incident response, such as:

• Monitoring and Detection Tools: SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) systems, intrusion detection systems (IDS), and endpoint protection.

• Incident Response Playbooks: Step-by-step guides for responding to specific incident types.

• Contact Lists: Up-to-date contact information for internal and external stakeholders.

• Backup and Recovery Systems: Ensure that critical data can be restored from secure backups.

8. Continuous Improvement

• Conduct regular incident response drills and tabletop exercises to test the plan's effectiveness.

• Review and update the plan periodically to reflect changes in technology, operations, and the threat landscape.

• Incorporate feedback from post-incident reviews and external audits.

9. Appendices

Include additional supporting materials, such as:

• Incident Classification Matrix: Criteria for categorising incidents by severity.

• Contact Directory: Names, roles, and contact details of Incident Response Team members and external partners.

• Template Reports: Templates for incident reports, regulatory notifications, and post-incident reviews.

Conclusion

This Incident Response Plan is designed to help maritime organisations effectively manage and mitigate cybersecurity incidents. By following this structured approach, organisations can minimise the impact of cyber threats, ensure compliance with IMO Resolution MSC.428(98)