The following is the text of a news release from the American Public University System:
(CHARLESTOWN, W.Va., and NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J.) — American Military University (AMU), part of the American Public University System (APUS), and the Command, Control and Interoperability Center for Advanced Data Analysis (CCICADA) at Rutgers University today announced they will co-sponsor the first national conference to address cybersecurity issues for the nation’s maritime operations.
The Maritime Cybersecurity Learning Seminar and Symposium will examine the cybersecurity risks and vulnerabilities combined with the unique aspects of the maritime industry to reveal important new national security issues. It is designed for both military and non-military personnel who have an interest in emerging cybersecurity issues and how they might apply to the international maritime industry. Industry leaders and academics are also expected to attend and add to discussions about implications for the shipping industry, container industry, port entry security, and the proliferation risks arising from dependence on complex computer networks in all aspects of the maritime transportation system.
The event will be held at CCICADA at Rutgers University, New Brunswick, N.J., on March 2-3. CCICADA is a U.S. Department of Homeland Security Center of Excellence that uses advanced data analysis and systems to address natural and manmade threats to the safety and security of the American people. The keynote address will be provided by Vice Adm. Charles Michel, U.S. Coast Guard. Other key presenters include:
• Dr. Mark Hagerott, deputy director and distinguished professor of cybersecurity, U.S. Naval Academy
• Dr. Christopher Rodriguez, director, N.J. Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness
• Rear Adm. Marshall Lytle, U.S. Coast Guard
• Dr. Stephen Flynn, co-director of the George J. Kostas Research Institute for Homeland Security
• Dr. Douglas Maughan, director, Cybersecurity Division, Department of Homeland Security S&T
“For modern ships there has been a developing dependence on the proliferation of sophisticated technology that is subject to cyberattack through intentional, unintentional, or by natural causes,” said Dr. Fred Roberts, CCICADA director and distinguished professor of mathematics at Rutgers. “Cyber threats to the complex maritime domain, including ports, cargo, and offshore energy sectors, are similarly serious. Unfortunately, these threats are not well-known to the stakeholders who must maintain their critical operations.”
“The dangers are real and all sectors — including commercial, government, and academic — need to collaborate to address them effectively,” said Dr. Clay Wilson, program director for cybersecurity studies at AMU. AMU's degree programs include the BS and MS in cybersecurity studies, which provide students with interdisciplinary skills to strategically plan, design and implement countermeasures for effective cybersecurity defense.
Registration for on-site attendees, along with a developing list of experts who will share information about the latest threats and best practices for combating them, is available at the symposium website. Information for how to participate remotely via podcast will be posted at a later date. The program also includes a symposium book to be edited by Dr. Joe DiRenzo, U.S. Coast Guard and AMU faculty member, Dr. Nicole Drumhiller, AMU faculty member, and Dr. Fred Roberts, CCICADA. A call for papers has been issued for interested expert contributors.
