This ambitious initiative will enable the operator, which employs more than 1,100 people across 14 countries, to concentrate its cyber resources, expertise and services in a single dedicated entity, capable of supporting its customers in the implementation of robust protection, detection and incident response systems. Marlink Cyber will rely on a solid infrastructure with over 150 cyber security experts spread across several Security Operations Centers (SOCs) around the world, including a pioneering maritime SOC.
Marlink is the world leader in satellite connectivity solutions and hybrid networks, providing secure, uninterrupted connectivity to the maritime, energy, defense and humanitarian sectors, often in remote areas where traditional networks have little or no access. With 25 years' experience, the French company has carved out a place for itself in a competitive sector, with salesof no less than $750 million(as at December 31, 2023).
The decision to create Marlink Cyber follows an increasingly complex context around cyberattacks, as well as a report on maritime cyberthreats, compiled by Marlink's Security Operations Center (SOC) in 2024. The latter recorded 23,400 malware detections and 178 ransomware detections in the first half of 2024. The SOC actively monitored more than 1,800 ships over this period, and noted a "significant" increase in malicious activity compared to the previous year.
The new company will therefore offer a wide range of services: vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, compliance audits, phishing awareness (an online fraud technique used by cybercriminals to trick people into providing sensitive information) and proactive risk management. It is based on the globally recognized NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) framework, structured around the "identify, protect, detect, respond and recover" pillars. "By combining all our cyber capabilities within Marlink Cyber, we are making it easier for our customers to deal with increasingly complex regulations and ever more sophisticated threats", said Nicolas Furo, CEO of Marlink Cyber.said Nicolas Furge, President of Marlink Cyber.
