Marlink, one of the world's leading providers of commercial satellite communications, has received certification of approval from global classification society Bureau Veritas for XChange, its integrated management platform.
The rapid adoption of 4G/5G internet and cellular services promises to deliver ever greater volumes of data on board ships, including video calls, streaming services and crew internet access. It also increases the attack surface of ships and their operators in the face of cyber threats, and requires enhanced on-board equipment to ensure shipowners' cybersecurity.
Ship managers and operators will need to define and implement IT policies across all networks, and apply measures to each depending on where the data resides. These measures include managing individual devices with endpoint protection, network-level security with unified threat management and proactive threat remediation, all offered within the Marlink network.
XChange orchestrates and optimizes all communications, network elements and applications, from IT provisioning and data processing to system-based routing and digital solutions, including cloud connectivity, cybersecurity,remote access to the Internet of Things and operational technology assets.
" We're living in an age of rapidly proliferating digital solutions, and while they offer new possibilities on board ship, they also create new levels of cyber risk," explains Tore Morten Olsen, Marlink's president for the maritime sector. He adds: " This certification of approval indicates that shipowners can be confident that XChange offers adequate network management and cyber-resilience. "
