Maritime Sector Vulnerable to Cyber Threats Amidst Limited Expertise
The maritime sector is facing significant operational technology (OT) cybersecurity challenges due to limited onboard expertise, legacy systems, and unreliable connectivity. According to Honeywell Technologies' 2026 OT Cybersecurity Benchmark Report, some 40% of maritime respondents identified limited onboard cybersecurity expertise as a major challenge. The same percentage pointed to legacy onboard systems, while 37% cited intermittent or limited connectivity.
The constraints coincide with a high level of reported cyber incidents. Some 87% of maritime respondents said they had experienced a significant OT cybersecurity incident over the past 12 months, compared with 73% across the full survey sample. The potential consequences also extend beyond operational disruption, with some 83% of maritime respondents saying that a significant OT cybersecurity incident could have a severe or high impact on safety or physical equipment.
The sector lags behind in terms of visibility and recovery readiness. Only 17% of maritime respondents described their organizations as fully recovery-ready, while 47% reported having a complete or mostly complete asset inventory. Honeywell said that stronger OT cybersecurity maturity in the maritime sector depends on organizations being able to maintain visibility, provide support, and recover critical systems even when connectivity is limited.