RINA issues amendments to enhance ship cyber security

Classification Society RINA has issued amendments to Part C of the “Rules for Classification of Ships” that will come into force on 1 July 2024.

These amendments aim to enhance the cyber resilience, security, and reliability of ship systems and equipment, ensuring the safe and efficient operation of ships.

Strengthening Cyber Resilience: New requirements outlined in Sections 4 and 5 introduce IACS UR E26 (Rev 1 - Nov 2023) "Cyber resilience of ships" and IACS UR E27 (Rev 1 - Sep 2023) "Cyber resilience of on-board systems and equipment". These mandates aim to fortify ship systems against cyber attacks, ensuring their ability to endure and recover from such threats, thus safeguarding the ship's operations.

Type Approval Testing for Automation Systems: Section 3 now mandates type approval testing, incorporating IACS UR E22 (Rev.3 - June 2023) "Computer-based systems". This process guarantees that automation systems meet predefined standards and performance benchmarks before installation on ships, ensuring their reliability and adherence to standards.

Enhancing Cyber Security of Critical Bridge Systems (CBS): Addressing the cyber security of CBS involves integrating security features for CBSs with network communication. These measures are designed to shield critical bridge systems from cyber threats, ensuring their uninterrupted functionality during ship navigation.

System Certification and Type Approval for Computer-based Systems: The amendments introduce requisites for certifying and approving computer-based systems to meet regulatory standards throughout their lifecycle. This rigorous process verifies the functionality, performance, and reliability of these systems, ensuring compliance with design, construction, commissioning, and maintenance standards.

Emphasizing Software and Hardware Change Management: Recognizing the criticality of managing software and hardware changes, the amendments provide guidance on implementing robust change management processes. These protocols entail proper documentation, testing, and implementation of changes to maintain the integrity and reliability of ship systems.

Integration of New IACS Standards and Guidelines: Incorporating the latest standards and guidelines from the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) ensures adherence to industry best practices and technical requirements for ship system design, construction, and operation. By aligning with these updates, the amendments ensure compliance with current industry standards and regulations.

For more information, please see the document below (available only to subscribers):