Proceedings magazine is a communication tool for the Coast Guard's Marine Safety & Security Council. Each quarterly magazine focuses on a specific theme of interest to the marine industry.
Issue link: https://uscgproceedings.epubxp.com/i/436751
8 Proceedings Winter 2014 – 2015 www.uscg.mil/proceedings In 2013, the Department of Homeland Security issued the National Infrastructure Protection Plan, pursuant to Presi- dential Policy Directive-21 (PPD-21), 1 which describes how various sector-specific agencies carry out cybersecurity responsibilities across the nation's critical infrastructure. The U.S. Coast Guard is the sector-specifc agency 2 for the maritime transportation sector. Sector-specifc agencies provide institutional knowledge and specialized expertise. They lead, facilitate, or support the security and resilience programs and associated activities In the wake of 9/11, Congress passed the Maritime Trans- portation Security Act, which charged the U.S. Coast Guard with protecting the MTS from physical and human threats. Today, not only has the U.S. Coast Guard risen to this chal- lenge, we have a variety of legal tools at our disposal to ensure the MTS is protected from cybersecurity threats that could lead to a transportation security incident. Responsibilities of Sector-Specifc Agencies Cybersecurity is a national priority, and the responsibility to carry out this priority falls upon various sector-specifc agencies (SSAs) throughout the executive branch. The Coast Guard and Cybersecurity A legal framework for prevention and response. by lCDR BRanDy PaRkeR Legal Counsel U.S. Coast Guard Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy MR. Glenn GRay Law Student Georgetown University Governance Hackers hijack a waterfront facility's industrial control system, resulting in oil discharge into a navigable waterway. An access control system at another facility is hacked, allowing unauthorized persons access to the facility. A vessel's navigation system is compromised, resulting in a temporary loss of vessel control. An oil rig's programmable logic controller is taken over by a disgruntled former employee, who tilts the rig, causing it to shut down. These hypothetical scenarios demonstrate how our marine transportation system (MTS) is vulner- able to cyber threats. continued on page 10 aetb / iStock / Thinkstock