Insider threat refers to the risk that arises from a maritime employee
carrying out or enabling a security incident, either through a lack of
awareness, complacency or maliciousness.
For terrorists and organized crime groups who are
constantly looking to exploit vulnerabilities in security controls of ports and
ships, insiders can offer a tactical advantage, as they hold privileged access
to secured locations, items or sensitive information.
To address the issue, the IMO partnered with the International Civil
Aviation Organization (ICAO) to develop the new Insider Threat Toolkit. The toolkit outlines various good practice
security measures, including background checks and vetting, access control
measures, patrolling, surveillance and monitoring, advance technologies and the
use of artificial intelligence.
The toolkit can be used by any organization operating in the maritime
environment, including maritime
administrations, designated authorities, shipping companies, port operators and
other maritime stakeholders.
Andrew Clarke, Technical Officer, Maritime Security
Section at IMO said: “We currently face an extremely diverse and challenging
set of maritime security threats and risks globally. A ‘One-UN’ approach
involving all partner UN organizations and agencies is critical, and we are grateful to ICAO for their strong
support in producing this new toolkit to address the threat of insiders in the
maritime sector. It is crucial to keep developing new products and training
in an evolving world, and to assist Member States in their efforts to fully
implement all maritime security measures.”