First Jack-up Certified Cyber Secure

New cyber security standard for newbuild offshore units

ABS said it has awarded a Cyber Security-Ready (CS-Ready) Notation to a jack-up drilling rig built by Sembcorp Marine, marking a first-of-its-kind certification for an offshore facility.

ABS Chief Digital Officer, Howard Fireman, said the CS-Ready Notation facilitates new assets in achieving full ABS Cyber Security Notations.

“Leveraging the ABS FCI Cyber Risk model in applying the CS-Ready Notation means valuable offshore assets are already down the road towards a robust degree of protection on delivery,” Fireman said.

ABS’ FCI Cyber Risk model quantifies cyber risk, enumerating three constructs, Functions (critical systems such as navigation and propulsion), Connections (digital networks connecting functions), and Identities (people or devices accessing connections). The CS-Ready Notation requires that functions and connections are properly characterized so the owner can control access to connections and systems.

Sembcorp Marine supported the notation development by providing ABS with a test-bed and user-feedback.

ABS cyber security specialists investigated the cyber-readiness of the critical control systems on board a Pacific Class 400 jack-up rig, including drilling control systems, electrical power generating and distribution system, vessel management systems, and safety critical systems such as fire detection.

“As a global leader in marine cyber security, ABS is pleased to work with Sembcorp Marine to ensure the next generation of offshore assets is better equipped to address growing cyber risk levels,” Fireman said.

“We can now to help our customers achieve an enhanced degree of cyber security in their assets,” said Sembcorp Marine Vice President and Head of Research and Development, Simon Kuik.

“We are mindful that ensuring our products’ cyber safety is a continuous process and we need to constantly raise our standards to protect against more complex and sophisticated attacks,” Kuik added. “In this regard, we look forward to achieving the next level of the ABS Cyber Security Notation.”