The 8th Annual UNCW Cybersecurity Conference brought together experts from government, industry, and academia on October 8–9, 2026, at the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW), with a dedicated Maritime Cybersecurity Track addressing emerging cyber threats, regulatory developments, and resilience across the maritime sector.
The two-day event featured presentations, panel discussions, technical workshops, and practical exercises examining cybersecurity challenges affecting ships, ports, industrial environments, and the broader marine transportation system.
U.S. Coast Guard Cybersecurity Requirements in Focus
The first day of the Maritime Cybersecurity Track focused on maritime cybersecurity policy, regulatory implementation, and emerging threats. Representatives from the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) provided updates on maritime cyber operations and regulatory initiatives, including the requirements under 33 CFR Part 101, Subpart F, concerning cybersecurity in the marine transportation system.
Industry and classification perspectives were also explored, highlighting the practical challenges maritime organizations face when translating regulatory expectations into effective cybersecurity measures.
A panel discussion titled Preparing for 2027: Implementing the Coast Guard’s Maritime Cybersecurity Requirements brought together representatives from the U.S. Coast Guard, industry, and UNCW. The discussion addressed the implementation of the Coast Guard’s maritime cybersecurity requirements and the preparations needed across the maritime industry.
AI-enabled Threats and Maritime Threat Modeling
Emerging technologies and evolving attack techniques were among the other major themes of the conference. Sessions examined AI-enabled threats to maritime ports, particularly the security challenges arising at the boundaries between information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT).
Another presentation explored threat-informed security-by-design approaches for ships, using threat intelligence and threat modeling to identify plausible attack scenarios, vulnerabilities, and attack paths in increasingly interconnected maritime environments.
These discussions highlighted the importance of addressing cybersecurity during system design and strengthening defensive capabilities across maritime infrastructure and vessel operations.
OT Security, Cyber-Physical Systems, and Incident Response
The second day expanded the technical focus to industrial cybersecurity, cyber-physical systems, simulations, and incident response.
Presentations explored the practical implementation of the ISA/IEC 62443 series of OT cybersecurity standards and the application of systems-theoretic security analysis to the engineering of secure digital operating environments.
Maritime cybersecurity simulations and tabletop exercises also featured prominently. Participants examined scenarios involving GPS and AIS spoofing, ransomware, and interference with steering or propulsion systems. A maritime-themed incident response exercise on the Cape Fear River further emphasized decision-making and coordination among local, state, federal, military, commercial, and volunteer responders during a cyber incident affecting vessel operations or critical services.
A hands-on workshop on industrial wireless security provided participants with an opportunity to examine network configuration, wireless security mechanisms, secure device management, and the operational trade-offs associated with different security decisions.
Strengthening Maritime Cyber Resilience through Collaboration
By bringing together regulatory authorities, cybersecurity specialists, researchers, and maritime industry stakeholders, the conference provided a platform for exchanging practical knowledge and discussing approaches to improving maritime cyber resilience.
The Maritime Cybersecurity Track reflected the growing importance of integrating cybersecurity into maritime operations, regulatory compliance, system design, workforce development, and incident preparedness.
As vessels, ports, and maritime infrastructure become increasingly connected, collaboration between government, industry, and academia remains essential to addressing evolving cyber risks and supporting the secure operation of the marine transportation system.
