The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered enhanced security arrangements at all ports, terminals, shipyards and ships asking asked all the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) of all port facilities to review security of IT and communications systems for taking appropriate measures to prevent and mitigate threats of cyberattacks.
The DGCA directive has asked security system to be enhanced from MARSEC Level-1 to MARSEC Level-2 with immediate effect.
The advisory to all ports, terminals, and shipyards requires to implement heightened maritime security measures, including elevation to International Ship and Port Facility Security Code - ISPS Security Level 2, with immediate effect.
“This directive is issued in the interest of national maritime security and must be treated with utmost urgency and priority. Strict compliance is expected, and any breach will be viewed very seriously,” said the DG Shipping advisory signed by Captain Nitin Mukesh, Deputy Nautical Advisor.
It also requires all Indian flagged vessels operating in and near to the India sub-continent and neighboring countries are required to elevate the security Level to 2 and implement the applicable security measures as per Ship Security Plan.
Meanwhile the enhanced security measures at airports operations has led to 27 airports across northern, western, and central India closed for commercial operations until 5:29 am on Saturday. The Indian carriers cancelled 430 flights accounting for to 3 per cent of the total scheduled flights.
