The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), in collaboration with the Singapore Shipping Association (SSA), the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT), and the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), is set to launch a new cybersecurity training programme for maritime operational technology in August 2026. This initiative is designed to address the growing cybersecurity risks associated with the digitalisation of shipboard systems.
As the maritime industry increasingly integrates digital and interconnected systems, the need for IT professionals who understand both shore-based and shipboard systems has become critical. The programme, informed by feedback from SSA member companies, aims to equip IT professionals with the necessary skills to enhance the cyber resilience of shipboard operations. Participants will learn to identify threat vectors, respond to cyber incidents, and integrate cybersecurity considerations into vessel design.
The two-month course will combine online learning with hands-on training at the SIT Punggol Campus. A key feature of the programme is an applied exercise at SUTD’s Centre for Research in Cyber Security, where participants will manage simulated cyber incidents using the Maritime Testbed of Shipboard Operational Technology (MariOT). This practical component is designed to provide real-world experience in a controlled environment.
Conducted quarterly and subsidised under the SkillsFuture scheme, the programme expects to train approximately 70 participants annually. This initiative is part of a broader effort to develop a pipeline of maritime cybersecurity talent and strengthen the industry’s overall cybersecurity capabilities.
