Responding to “insider threats”

IMO launches toolkit

Recognising the threat posed by maritime employees who make use of their authorised access to perpetrate a security breach within their companies, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has released a toolkit to help the industry respond better.

IMO partnered with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to develop the new Insider Threat Toolkit. The toolkit outlines various good practice security measures, including background checks and vetting, access control measures, patrolling, surveillance and monitoring, advance technologies and the use of artificial intelligence.

“We currently face an extremely diverse and challenging set of maritime security threats and risks globally. A ‘One-UN’ approach involving all partner UN organisations and agencies is critical, and we are grateful to ICAO for their strong support in producing this new Toolkit to address the threat of insiders in the maritime sector. It is crucial to keep developing new products and training in an evolving world, and to assist Member States in their efforts to fully implement all maritime security measures,” says Andrew Clarke, Technical Officer, Maritime Security Section at IMO.

The toolkit can be used by any organisation operating in the maritime environment, including Maritime Administrations, Designated Authorities, shipping companies, port operators and other maritime stakeholders.

According to the toolkit, malicious insiders – those who make a conscious decision to conduct a security incident – may be driven by a mix of personal vulnerabilities, life events and situational factors, such as financial gain, ideology, revenge, desire for recognition, or coercion.

A malicious insider could deliberately seek to join an organisation to conduct a security incident or acquire the intention of doing so during their employment.