PRODUCTS

Cortex XDR

Panorama

New generation firewalling technologies

BENEFITS

Complete picture of the security level
Zero-touch provisioning
Vulnerability management
Real-time threat detection
Top- protection mechanisms against malware and cyber threat attacks
Unified and centralized access management with a single interface
Centralized management tools

CHALLENGES

Commercial vessels are constantly on the move and in inaccessible places and ports
The network connection of each ship is made through satellite internet
Critical applications such as navigation systems, mechanical equipment etc., need additional protection mechanisms
International Maritime Organization (IMO), requires to include Cyber security in the mandatory security policies
Alassia recognized very quickly the new cybersecurity landscape that was formed in recent years and acted immediately to respond effectively to the new cybersecurity challenges.

 

Business Challenges

Since 2009, Alassia has been one of the most renowned ship management companies. The company offers the full spectrum of ship management services to Owners of vessels that transport dry bulk commodities on a worldwide basis.

Having a fleet of 11 ships, the company recognized very quickly the new cybersecurity landscape that was formed in recent years and acted immediately to respond effectively to the new cybersecurity challenges.

Commercial vessels are constantly on the move and in inaccessible places and ports around the world. As a result, it is very difficult to manage their IT infrastructure both in terms of operations management as well as support. The network connection of each ship is made through satellite internet with the central systems and services of the company.

Also, specialized critical applications such as navigation systems, mechanical equipment etc., need additional protection mechanisms, which should operate in high availability and autonomy, without requiring the continuous contribution of the technical support department.

Finally, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) from 2021, requires companies to include Cyber security in the mandatory security policies, which they should follow based on the recommendations and requirements governing the shipping industry.

Solution

The IT department of our company cooperated with Pylones Hellas, which has more than 25 years of experience in the network protection of large companies, implementing the “Cybersecurity Onboard” solution, which is based on the Palo Alto Networks technologies.

At the same time, the solution it differentiates from the rest of the market because it is not limited to monolithic approaches regarding the infrastructure security mechanisms. On the contrary, it was designed as a overall solution based on basic axes of technical protection mechanisms.

This is what made it stand out at the recent Cybersecurity Awards, where it was distinguished as the best project in the Shipping industry for 2022!

The security solution implemented by Pylones Hellas is based on the logic of adaptation and complete coverage of the special IT needs of the industry, as well as on the unique challenges that the information security team of each shipping company faces.

It is based on the combination of new generation firewalling technologies and Cortex XDR provided by Palo Alto Networks which was recognized for the 10th consecutive year by GARTNER as the leading solution in terms of network security, both for “Ability to Execute” and for “Completeness of Vision”.

The ICT Manager of Alassia NewShips Management, Inc. stated: “The combination of the above protection mechanisms, both at the level of installation and operation, as well as at the level of management, now ensure the optimal protection of Alassia‘s infrastructure.».

Benefits

CyberSecurity Onboard solution enable the IT management of the company to have “Complete Visibility” regarding the security levels of the organization using specialized centralized management tools that contain analytical monitoring and incident management dashboards, as well as detailed security related reports.

The fact that the solution is rely on the technologies of Palo Alto Networks automatically gives a different prestige and capabilities to anyone who trusts it.

Unified and centralized access management with a single interface

The use of the PANORAMA console provides the possibility of unified and centralized access management with a single interface and the use of graduated access to different levels of users. At the same time, with the use of templates, our organization defines the security policies and implements them across our fleet, ensuring both homogeneity and the high level of protection, ranging from URL Filtering and Antivirus to real-time threat detection using Sandboxing.

Next Gen Firewalls in a few minutes

In addition, the zero-touch provisioning of the platform, enables us to add or replace Next Gen Firewalls in a few minutes, without the need for the presence of specialized engineers on our ships.

Real-time threat detection technologies

The Cortex XDR protection solution installed in the IT infrastructure of ships, gives us top- protection mechanisms against malware and cyber threat attacks. Specifically, machine learning mechanisms are used as well as real-time threat detection technologies through the cloud service 24/7 Threat Hunting.

Vulnerability management

The fact that the platform enables the management of security incidents with reporting and forensics analysis tools, while it also provides a complete picture of the vulnerabilities that the systems have, the so-called Vulnerability management based on CVE standards, make it stand out.

Αbility to automate and integrate with other platforms

With the “Cybersecurity Onboard” solution, Alassia has succeeded in significantly upgrading the level of protection of the organization against cyberattacks, as well as monitoring the compliance of the policies adopted, ensuring the operational function of its entire infrastructure.

At the same time, the ability to automate and integrate with other platforms gives another dimension to the efficiency and ease of the organization’s operations, so that it has full control over the security of both its facilities and the entire fleet!

“Now the IT department has a solution that provides a complete picture of the security level as well as a comprehensive and overall management of all the company’s ships.” mr Andreas Vakkas, ICT Manager of Alassia NewShips Management, Inc. says.