Indonesia’s maritime sector is a prime target for cyberattacks, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. The Director of Shipping and Maritime Affairs at the Ministry of Transportation, Hendri Ginting, recently sounded the alarm: digital systems like Inapornet, along with ship and port operations, are vulnerable to hacking. The fallout? Supply chain chaos, reputational damage, and operational paralysis. “The impact could be very serious,” Ginting warned, underscoring the need for vigilance and cross-agency coordination.
This isn’t idle speculation. Cyber threats are real, and they’re evolving faster than many maritime players can keep up. Indonesia is taking steps to shore up its defenses, but the challenge is monumental. The recent “Advanced Cybersecurity Readiness” workshop, co-hosted by the Indonesian Ministry of Transportation and the U.S. Embassy, brought together key stakeholders—from the Directorate General of Sea Transportation to the National Cyber and Cryptography Agency (BSSN), and even port operators. Over four days, participants drilled into best practices, innovative strategies, and practical steps to counter cyber threats. The training was led by international experts, a clear sign that Indonesia is looking beyond its borders for solutions.
Ginting’s gratitude to the U.S. Embassy for facilitating the workshop highlights a broader truth: cybersecurity in maritime isn’t just a local issue—it’s a global one. His call for future collaboration, including benchmarking trips to the U.S., shows Indonesia’s willingness to learn from the best. But the real test will be translating that knowledge into action. The maritime sector is a complex web of interconnected systems, and a breach in one area can ripple across the entire network.
The workshop is a start, but it’s just one piece of the puzzle. For Indonesia—and indeed, the rest of the world—cybersecurity in maritime will require sustained investment, continuous training, and a culture of proactive risk management. The question isn’t whether another attack will happen, but when. The time to act is now.