Ports contribute approximately $3.15 trillion in business activity to the US economy and handle more than 2 billion tons of domestic, import and export cargo annually, according to the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA). So it is no surprise that physical protection and cybersecurity of ports is a high priority.
Since the September 11 attacks, the government has spent more than $2.5 billion improving the physical security components of ports including: hardening perimeters with fencing, improving surveillance systems, authenticating personnel via the Transportation Workers Identification Credential (TWIC) program, adding sophisticated cargo screening technology, implementing land and sea patrols, and much more.
The US Coast Guard is focusing on hardening ports against cyberattacks. On January 15, the USCG held a maritime cybersecurity standards public meeting to discuss cyber threats to our nation’s ports.
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