DESIGN AND SCENARIO DEVELOPMENT OF A MARITIME CYBERSECURITY TRAINING SIMULATION PLATFORM
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.68302/std2026.vol1.116Keywords:
maritime cybersecurity, simulation-based training, ship bridge simulationAbstract
This paper presents the design and scenario development of a simulation platform for maritime cybersecurity training. In response to the increasing digitalization of shipboard systems and the growing exposure to cyber threats, the platform provides a web-based environment that simulates a ship bridge and enables hands-on training in cyber incident response. The system supports real-time interaction with key on-board systems, allowing users to observe and respond to unusual behavior under simulated attack conditions. The platform includes three cyber-physical scenarios: GPS spoofing, AIS data injection, and engine control malware. The presented solution is designed to respond to specific training needs - the detection of cyber-physical attacks in conditions that closely simulate real-life scenarios. It is suitable for integration into academic and professional maritime training, enhancing traditional bridge simulators by addressing specific cybersecurity challenges in a controlled and accessible environment.
Supporting Agencies
This report was financed by the Ministry of Education and Science under the National Science Program "Security and Defense", carried out in implementation of the National Strategy for the Development of Scientific Research 2017-2030 and adopted by Decision of the Council of Ministers No. 731 of October 21, 2021. The material reflects only the author's opinion, and the Ministry of Education and Science is not responsible for the content.Downloads
References
[1] E. Demirel, “Maritime Education and Training in the Digital Era,” Universal Journal of Educational Research, vol. 8, no. 9, pp. 4129–4142, Sep. 2020, doi: 10.13189/UJER.2020.080939.
[2] F. Martínez, L. E. Sànchez, A. Santos-Olmo, D. G. Rosado, and E. Fernàndez-Medina, “Maritime cybersecurity: protecting digital seas,” International Journal of Information Security, vol. 23, no. 2, pp. 1429–1457, Jan. 2024, doi: 10.1007/S10207-023-00800-0.
[3] B. Nikolov, “Approach to developing a maritime cybersecurity virtual training environment,” in Proc. Int. Sci. Practical Conf. Environment. Technology. Resources, Rezekne, Latvia, Jun. 2024, pp. 220–225, doi: 10.17770/ETR2024VOL2.8039.
[4] B. Nikolov and D. Nikolov, “A Scenario-based approach to cybersecurity training for Seafarers,” in Proceedings of the International Association of Maritime Universities Conference, Buzzards Bay: International Association of Maritime Universities, 2024, pp. 385–390. Accessed: May 21, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://aga24.maritime.edu/wp-content/uploads/IAMUC-2024-proceedings-final-corrected.pdf
[5] G. Potamos, E. Stavrou, and S. Stavrou, “Enhancing Maritime Cybersecurity through Operational Technology Sensor Data Fusion: A Comprehensive Survey and Analysis,” Sensors, vol. 24, no. 11, May 2024, doi: 10.3390/S24113458.
[6] Y. Gülmez, O. Konur, M. Erbas, and S. Bauk, “Identifying cyber attack vulnerabilities in the main lubricating oil system of marine propulsion units,” International Journal of Critical Infrastructure Protection, vol. 51, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.1016/j.ijcip.2025.100810.
[7] A. Aredah and H. A. Rakha, “ShipNetSim: An Open-Source Simulator for Real-Time Energy Consumption and Emission Analysis in Large-Scale Maritime Networks,” J. Mar. Sci. Eng., vol. 13, no. 3, Mar. 2025, doi: 10.3390/jmse13030518.
[8] L. Bayou, A. Awarkeh, M. E. H. Haouari, R. Yaich, and M. A. Faillon, “ICoSSiuM: An integrated communication security simulator for maritime operations,” Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol. 15532, pp. 58–73, 2025, doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-87499-4_5.
[9] J. D. Palbar Misas, R. Hopcraft, K. Tam, and K. Jones, “Future of maritime autonomy: cybersecurity, trust and mariner’s situational awareness,” Journal of Marine Engineering and Technology, vol. 23, no. 3, pp. 224–235, May 2024, doi: 10.1080/20464177.2024.2330176.
[10] L. Rivas et al., “Assuring Safe Navigation and Network Operations of Autonomous Ships,” IEEE 14th Annu. Comput. Commun. Workshop Conf. (CCWC), 2024, pp. 138–143, 2024, doi: 10.1109/CCWC60891.2024.10427933.
[11] G. Longo, A. Orlich, S. Musante, A. Merlo, and E. Russo, “MaCySTe: A virtual testbed for maritime cybersecurity,” SoftwareX, vol. 23, p. 101426, Jul. 2023, doi: 10.1016/j.softx.2023.101426.
[12] Nautilus International Maritime Union, “Simulators: 45 years of development and debate.” Accessed: Apr. 21, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://web.archive.org/web/20251216032850/https://www.nautilusint.org/en/news-insight/telegraph/simulators-45-years-of-development-and-debate/
[13] M. H. Dewan, R. Godina, M. R. K. Chowdhury, C. W. M. Noor, W. M. N. Wan Nik, and M. Man, “ “Immersive and non-immersive simulators for the education and training in maritime domain-A review”,” J. Mar. Sci. Eng., vol. 11, no. 1, p. 147, 2023, doi: 10.3390/jmse11010147.
[14] B. Lintott, “The History and Heritage of the Age of Simulation,” Human Factors and Simulation, vol. 83, 2023, doi: 10.54941/ahfe1003581.
[15] Wärtsilä, “Wärtsilä Navigational simulators.” Accessed: Apr. 21, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://web.archive.org/web/20250905015437/https://www.wartsila.com/marine/products/simulation-and-training/navigational-simulators
[16] IMO, “Maritime cyber risk.” Accessed: Apr. 22, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://web.archive.org/web/20260419071845/https://www.imo.org/en/ourwork/security/pages/cyber-security.aspx
[17] NIST, “The NIST Cybersecurity Framework.” Accessed: Apr. 22, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/CSWP/NIST.CSWP.29.pdf
[18] M. Jones, “Spoofing in the Black Sea: What really happened? - GPS World.” Accessed: Apr. 22, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://web.archive.org/web/20250928103644/https://www.gpsworld.com/spoofing-in-the-black-sea-what-really-happened/
[19] J. Burbank, T. Greene, and N. Kaabouch, “Detecting and Mitigating Attacks on GPS Devices,” Sensors, vol. 24, no. 17, Aug. 2024, doi: 10.3390/S24175529.
[20] D. Ampatzidis, “AIS Spoofing in the Maritime Industry: A Growing Risk and Compliance Challenge.” Accessed: Apr. 22, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.marinetraffic.com/ru/maritime-news/34/risk-and%20compliance/2024/11316/ais-spoofing-in-the-maritime-industry-a-growing-risk-and-com
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Ekaterina Dyankova, Dilyana Dimitrova, Evgeni Andreev
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
