Baber Ali Bhatti
Technological and communicational advancements have brought variety of challenges as well as opportunities for mankind. Mounting fusion of technology and digitization in all aspects of life has transformed the modes of operations. Everything from coffee machines to heavy jet engines has become cyber devices. The future appears to be more computer-dependent and more networks connected. These computers and networks have enhanced capabilities as well as increased vulnerabilities. When Cyber operations open up the new ways to defeat or coerce one’s enemy, it provides enemy with the same opportunity to defeat or coerce one. Cyber operations have changed the strategic landscape, nature of operations, nature of combat and means in maritime domain. Navies of the world have also changed with the scientific and technological developments on the land. They have gone through different phases of development in the last two centuries and transformed their means of operations. From sail to steam, from motors to heavy engines, from gun warships to aircraft carriers and more recently, they have gone to guided missile weapons from surface combat to space, air and undersea. All of these changes and transformations were aimed to carry out different maritime missions including protection of commerce, deterrence of attack and establishment of maximum additional advantage at sea. In cotemporary era, navies are still endeavouring and experimenting different techniques and tactics to make best use of cyber capabilities in naval operations.
The primary challenge to comprehend the relation of cyber security with maritime operations is to conceptualize the combination and blend of information, time, space, physical infrastructure and electromagnetic signals. ‘Cyber’ domain is coalescence of internet’s physical infrastructure, information and electromagnetic signals. To use the electromagnetic signals range, distance and proximity remain important. It has completely different and complex nature of manoeuvring and engagement. Therefore, cyber security is increasingly becoming chief concern of states. It has changed the dynamics of maritime security and maritime operations too. Ships without cyber superiority are considered ships operating without air superiority or air cover with lesser survival chances. Cyber security is becoming fundamental in navigating the maritime operations despite its digital and physical vulnerability. All sectors of maritime domain have been increasingly computerized with the heavy information flow and advance communication tools. Especially, in case of maritime conflict, submarines and warships are mostly dependent on digital data, software and networking for optimal performance. Therefore, port infrastructure, propulsion and navigation system, weapons sensors and communication network are all vulnerable to cyber attack. Sensor data can be obscured or manipulate, ships can be misrouted with cyber manoeuvring of communications, or communications can be blocked to disrupt the supplies.
Every cyber attack may not produce the massive damage, but it can potentially disrupt the operations on ground. For instance, French naval aircraft had to ground itself because computer of aircraft was infected by a virus which had penetrated the navy’s internal operating networks. Similarly, USS Yorktown cruiser was halted for many hours during an exercise because some computer glitches and err in application data base had caused the propulsion system to fail. These incidents provide the empirical evidence of operational reliance of ships and vessels on computerized systems and also expose the vulnerabilities. Increasing maritime operational dependence on use of Information Technology suggest that cyber security will soon assume the chief importance in maritime operations. Modern ships are equipped with upgraded computer systems and weaponry programs with increased precision. These ships do not only utilize their enhanced capabilities but also face the vulnerabilities of cyber attack. Cyber manoeuvring and disruption will always be a strategic tool for navies in any maritime conflict. Cyber warfare at sea is the blend of electronic warfare, software programs, computer system and computerization of weaponry. For instance, Naval ships and merchant ships in the field are equipped with Radars. Radars are the most useful entry points for signal regards of its connectivity with internet.
Radar that receive signal and process it, quickly pass it through established and designed dedicated network to concerned receiver, system or operator. During the signal transmission, those singles can be interfered with malicious codes or data to disrupt the weapon, sensor or command system. Cyber attacks can be launched in multiple ways. Means of communication can be punctuated with cyber codes or tools to disrupt the navigation system of ships or to cause any other damage. Cyber security will remain a crucial part of maritime operations. The nature of maritime operations is rapidly changing given the adoptability of new technology to reduce the cost of operations and gain efficiency in manoeuvring. One cannot deny the fact that role of technology will develop and become even more essential in maritime domain. With the gradual adoptability and increasing fusion of new technology in maritime domain, cyber security challenges will pose more danger to trade and navigation than before. To counter cyber security threats, the more robust and proactive cyber security network is required. Therefore, it can be claimed that the future of maritime operations and navigation is directly linked with cyber capabilities.
—The writer is Research Fellow at Maritime Study Forum and Attorney Islamabad High Court
