USCG: Suspicious Cyber Activity Incident Involving Commercial Vessel

Sectors Ohio Valley and Miami have both issued alerts regarding a recent report of suspicious cyber activity incident involving a commercial vessel. The incident involved an email sent claiming to represent an official port state control body using “port@pscgov.org” as the sending email. The suspicious email was sent directly to the Master of the vessel requesting sensitive information about the vessel, its crew and its cargo. The Master was concerned about the sender and the request and activated the relevant portions of the vessel security plan (VSP).

The USCG reminds the industry to review CG-5P Policy Letter 08-16 – Reporting Suspicious Activity and Breaches of Security which outlines the criteria and process for MTSA regulated vessels and facilities.

Click here to download PSIB 01-2019 issued by Sector Ohio Valley

Click here to download MSIB 19-002 issued by Sector Miami

Click here to download CG-5P Policy Letter 08-16 – Reporting Suspicious Activity and Breaches of Security