Photo: + far left, Mr Lim Kian Soon, Head of Satellite Business, Singtel; far right – Jonathan Wood, Vice President, Application Partner Development, Inmarsat Maritime

Singapore Telecommunications Limited (Singtel) and Inmarsat (LSE:ISAT.L) have entered into a strategic partnership to enhance maritime cyber security using Trustwave’s Unified Threat Management (UTM) solution.

Trustwave, the cyber security arm of Singtel, will provide the software based UTM service to be integrated with Inmarsat hardware onboard ships, to protect data and reduce cyber risk for maritime companies. The UTM service offers a suite of cyber security defences, such as advance firewall, anti-virus, intrusion prevention and web-filtering, which is backed by global round-the-clock support. It will be delivered through Fleet Xpress, the first globally available, high-speed broadband solution for maritime and offshore operators, available from a single communications provider.

Mr Andrew Lim, Managing Director, Business Group, Group Enterprise at Singtel said, “Our partnership with Inmarsat is important as it marks the first phase in rolling out Singtel cyber security services for Inmarsat; starting with maritime. Shipping still moves about 90% of the world’s trade, hence the maritime industry is a significant backbone of the global supply chain [1]. As maritime systems become more digital, it is imperative for the industry to protect data onboard ships against all forms of cyber attacks. Our partnership with Inmarsat will provide maritime companies with a cyber security solution to meet rapidly evolving cyber threats, globally.”

“The landscape of shipping is changing. As we move from traditional shipping into the ship intelligence era, the threat of cyber attacks have never been more real,” commented Mr Ronald Spithout, President Inmarsat Maritime. “Risks from malicious attacks and unlawful access to a ship’s intelligence, its system infrastructure and networks cannot be ignored, and the shipping industry needs to take action.”

“We are excited to enter into a strategic partnership with Singtel to leverage the power of the market proven Trustwave managed UTM solution for the benefit of the global maritime industry. Together with our recent launch of Fleet Xpress, which sets a new standard in maritime communications, we are confident in delivering enhanced cyber security services to our customers. This new partnership supports our commitment to the market and elevates the benchmark for maritime cyber security,” commented Mr Gary Gagnon, Senior Vice President Global Cyber Security, Inmarsat.

Trustwave Chief Executive Officer and President Robert J. McCullen, said, “Eliminating fragmented network security controls between land-based systems and assets at sea helps customers maintain audit and compliance requirements, while alleviating many of the stresses of managing complex networks. Trustwave is honoured to provide a fully- managed security solution for the maritime industry, and we look forward to working with Inmarsat to defend international commerce from cyber attacks.”

Singtel and Inmarsat plan to launch the new maritime cyber security service in the second half of 2016.