The Port of Long Beach (POLB) sent its own representatives to Capitol Hill earlier this month, where they advocated for a comprehensive, national cyber security strategy.
POLB Director of Security Services Randy Parsons appeared before the House Homeland Security Committee’s subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security on October 8.
“Protecting U.S. ports must be a core capability of our nation,” said POLB Director of Security Services Randy Parsons in the testimony. “Focusing on the development of strategic policies and guidelines is sorely needed. A roadmap that provides guidance but flexibility for industry decisions makes sense and will strengthen our national cyber security posture.”
Adapting the maritime sector to focus on cyber security is a priority, said Parsons—for both private sector shipping companies and public ports.
“But we know the port authorities aren’t the only target and possibly not the primary target for cyber security threats,” said Parsons. “Private sector business entities, such as the terminal operators, control a substantial portion of the economic movement through our ports. […] We have threats that are a danger to humans as well as catastrophic economic damage, we have workers, we have visitors, we have…both ports are housed in a densely populated metropolitan area.”
The POLB is participating in National Cyber Security Month, according to a release.
Above, left: photo courtesy of the POLB.