Indian Navy Hosts Seminar on Cybersecurity in Maritime Sector, Calls for Stronger Cyber Resilience and Collaborative Defence Framework

The event underscored the Navy’s pivotal role in advancing India’s maritime cybersecurity agenda under the national vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat 2047.

In a landmark initiative to fortify India’s maritime cyber defences, the Indian Navy successfully organized a high-level seminar titled “Impact of Cyber Attacks on Maritime Sector and Its Effects on National Security and International Relations” at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, New Delhi, on 16 October 2025. The seminar brought together key policymakers, security experts, and industry leaders to deliberate on the growing cyber threats in the maritime domain and the need for a unified national approach to secure India’s blue economy and maritime assets.

The event underscored the Navy’s pivotal role in advancing India’s maritime cybersecurity agenda under the national vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat 2047. It also served as a platform to bridge civil-military collaboration in developing a resilient digital ecosystem for ports, shipping, energy networks, and naval systems.

---

Strengthening Maritime Cybersecurity: A Strategic Imperative

Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), inaugurated the seminar and welcomed the distinguished gathering. The Chief Guest, Shri Jitin Prasada, Minister of State for the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and Commerce & Industry, delivered the Keynote Address, highlighting the urgent need for cyber preparedness across critical maritime infrastructure.

“Cybersecurity is no longer an auxiliary function—it is the backbone of our national and economic security. The maritime sector, as a key enabler of trade and energy logistics, must adopt robust, responsive, and adaptive cyber defence mechanisms,” said Shri Jitin Prasada.

He stressed that as the digitalization of global shipping and port management continues, India must proactively identify vulnerabilities and develop indigenous cyber capabilities to safeguard its maritime interests.

---

CNS: “Maritime Cybersecurity Central to Samudra se Samriddhi”

In his address, Admiral Tripathi emphasized that the maritime sector lies at the heart of India’s strategic and economic aspirations. Under the vision of “Samudra se Samriddhi” (Prosperity through the Oceans), India’s maritime growth is being propelled by transformative initiatives such as the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, Sagarmala, and PM Gati Shakti.

“As we build modern ports, smart logistics chains, and digital maritime infrastructure, cybersecurity must be embedded in every design, system, and operation,” he said.

The CNS stressed that maritime digitization—spanning navigation, communication, cargo management, and offshore energy platforms—has exponentially increased cyber risk exposure. Therefore, there is a critical need for cross-sectoral coordination and real-time information sharing between government agencies, private operators, and technology providers.

Admiral Tripathi further called for the integration of cybersecurity frameworks into the training and operational doctrines of maritime forces to ensure readiness against cyber disruptions targeting both civil and naval assets.

---

Panel Discussions: Building Consensus on Maritime Cyber Strategy

The seminar featured three expert-led panel discussions, each focusing on a distinct dimension of cyber resilience within the maritime sector.

1. Global Cyber Threats to Maritime Infrastructure

   • This session analyzed the growing cyber challenges facing global shipping networks, offshore installations, and undersea cable systems.

   • Experts from the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) and CERT-In highlighted the rise of ransomware attacks, GPS spoofing, and data manipulation targeting maritime logistics and trade routes.

2. Civil-Military Partnership for Cyber Resilience

   • Officials from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Indian Navy, and private sector cybersecurity firms explored models for closer coordination in threat detection and joint response mechanisms.

   • The panel advocated for a National Maritime Cyber Coordination Centre to synchronize efforts across stakeholders.

3. Maritime Sector as Critical Information Infrastructure (CII)

   • Representatives from NCIIPC, GAIL, Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH), and National Maritime Foundation (NMF) discussed the need to formally designate the maritime domain as a distinct CII under India’s cybersecurity policy.

   • The panel concluded that recognizing the maritime ecosystem as CII would enable targeted funding, better regulatory protection, and real-time cyber intelligence sharing.

---

Key Takeaways and Strategic Recommendations

The seminar produced a detailed set of actionable outcomes and recommendations, including:

• Recognition of Maritime Sector as Independent CII: Immediate policy steps to classify ports, shipping networks, and offshore energy installations as critical infrastructure under the National Cyber Security Strategy.

• Development of Maritime Cyber Command and Control System: Establishment of a dedicated Maritime Cyber Defence Cell to monitor, prevent, and respond to cyber incidents across naval and commercial maritime assets.

• Institutionalized Civil-Military Collaboration: Formation of a multi-stakeholder task force involving the Indian Navy, NSCS, MeitY, MoPSW, and private sector leaders for periodic reviews of cybersecurity preparedness.

• Capacity Building and Training: Launch of specialized training programs for seafarers, port authorities, and naval personnel in maritime cyber hygiene and incident response protocols.

• Innovation through Start-ups and Industry: Strengthening public-private partnerships to develop indigenous cyber solutions and promote innovation through the iDEX and DSCI platforms.

---

Tech Exhibition: Showcasing Indigenous Innovation

On the sidelines of the seminar, a Tech Exhibition was held in collaboration with the Data Security Council of India (DSCI), showcasing cutting-edge indigenous cybersecurity technologies developed by Indian start-ups and defence firms.

The exhibition featured innovations in network intrusion detection, AI-driven cyber defence, encryption technologies, and blockchain-based data protection, underscoring India’s growing self-reliance in digital security solutions.

Admiral Tripathi commended the participating start-ups for their contribution to building an Aatmanirbhar cybersecurity ecosystem. “The ingenuity of our innovators reflects the spirit of Viksit Bharat 2047—a digitally secure and resilient India,” he said.

---

India’s Vision for a Secure Digital Maritime Future

The seminar reinforced the view that the maritime domain is a critical component of India’s digital economy and national security. With over 95% of India’s trade volume and 70% of its trade value transported by sea, protecting maritime digital infrastructure is vital for both economic and strategic stability.

Participants agreed that as India expands its blue economy initiatives—from port modernization to offshore energy and subsea communication networks—cyber defence must evolve from a reactive measure to a proactive, intelligence-driven national priority.

The seminar concluded with a renewed commitment from the Indian Navy and all stakeholders to enhance maritime cyber resilience and create a collaborative security framework aligned with India’s global leadership aspirations in the Indo-Pacific region.

“Our mission is clear,” Admiral Tripathi said in closing remarks. “We must ensure that India’s maritime domain remains secure, sovereign, and digitally resilient—anchored in the principles of trust, technology, and teamwork.”

---

Participants and Organizers

The event saw participation from key representatives of:

• Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways

• Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG)

• National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS)

• GAIL, Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH)

• Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In)

• National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC)

• National Maritime Foundation (NMF)

• Leading private cybersecurity firms and technology start-ups

---

Toward Cyber-Resilient Seas

The Indian Navy’s seminar on maritime cybersecurity marks a major step forward in national security discourse—recognizing that the future of maritime power lies as much in cyberspace as on the seas.

By integrating technology, policy, and partnership, India is charting a course toward a secure and prosperous maritime future, ensuring that its digital seas remain safe from emerging cyber threats.