DNV, a Norway-based risk management provider and independent certification body headquartered in Oslo, has announced its acquisition of CyberOwl, a specialist in monitoring and managing cyber risks within the maritime industry. This acquisition will create one of the world’s largest groups of maritime cybersecurity experts, aimed at strengthening cyber defense capabilities across the sector. CyberOwl will continue to operate independently from DNV’s classification business unit.
(Text by Hiro Yamamoto)
Photo courtesy= DNV, CyberOwl
As the maritime industry faces new vulnerabilities due to the increased adoption of digital systems onboard ships and the enforcement of new cybersecurity regulations, companies are compelled to make continuous investments in detecting, responding to, and recovering from cyber incidents and attacks. According to DNV’s announcement, an average fleet of 30 bulk carriers faces around 80 cyber incidents annually. The introduction of new unified requirements by the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) in 2024 has imposed stringent rules on the industry to manage, identify, protect against, detect, respond to, and recover from cyber incidents.
The IACS decision follows the International Maritime Organization (IMO)’s requirements for shipowners, operators, and managers to establish a robust cybersecurity management system. However, DNV’s survey found that only 56% of industry professionals currently feel confident in their ability to meet these regulatory demands.
CyberOwl provides vessel operators with analytics to identify, monitor, and manage cyber threats, while demonstrating compliance with evolving regulations. Its flagship platform, “Medulla,” along with its managed security services, supports hundreds of vessel owners and operators by offering asset inventory capabilities and tools for monitoring rising cyber risks. The platform also helps to track crew behaviors that could compromise safety and evaluates the effectiveness of security controls and cybersecurity policies.
DNV, a global organization with over 150 years of experience in risk management, operates in more than 100 countries through 300 offices and employs a diverse workforce of 15,000 people representing 85 nationalities. As of January 10, 2024, DNV serves 13,175 vessels and mobile offshore units (MOUs) with a combined gross tonnage of 265.4 million, which accounts for 21% of the global market share. Additionally, 65% of the world’s subsea pipelines are designed and installed according to DNV’s technical standards, demonstrating its significant influence and reach within the industry.
By continuously investing in research and development, DNV ensures its team of experts maintains a high level of specialization and certification, enabling it to deliver top-tier services in certification, classification, and technical advisory across a variety of sectors.
■Comments from Remi Eriksen, Group President and CEO, DNV
“Digital technologies need to continue expanding to create a safer, more efficient, and environmentally conscious maritime industry. However, to fully realize the benefits of digitalization and automation, robust cybersecurity measures are essential. That’s why DNV has placed cybersecurity at the heart of its growth strategy. DNV and CyberOwl will work together to reduce cyber risks across the entire maritime supply chain, support organizations in meeting their cybersecurity requirements, and provide risk management services for every stage of a vessel’s lifecycle, thereby strengthening industry compliance,” said Remi Eriksen, Group President and CEO of DNV.
■ Comments from Daniel Ng, CEO of CyberOwl
“DNV and CyberOwl are united in our mission to enhance the security posture of the maritime industry by leveraging our deep understanding of its technical, operational, and commercial realities, combined with our expertise in cybersecurity. DNV brings 150 years of maritime heritage and strong engineering proficiency, continuously expanding its cybersecurity service portfolio. With the addition of CyberOwl’s advanced threat monitoring and incident management capabilities, we can build a formidable force to enhance both cyber and physical safety, sustainability, and resilience within the maritime industry,” stated Daniel Ng, CEO of CyberOwl.
■Strengthening DNV’s Cybersecurity Portfolio
With this acquisition, DNV has strengthened its maritime cybersecurity and emergency response services portfolio, forming one of the world’s largest groups of maritime cybersecurity experts. These experts are now operating from five key maritime hubs: Oslo, London, Singapore, Hamburg, and Piraeus.
CyberOwl will collaborate with DNV’s 3,500 maritime risk specialists and 500 cybersecurity experts to address all aspects of the maritime industry’s cybersecurity needs, ensuring the protection of IT and industrial control systems environments.
The acquisition of CyberOwl is part of DNV’s broader cybersecurity growth strategy as an independent assurance and risk management provider. Earlier in 2024, DNV integrated its existing cybersecurity business with two recently acquired companies, Nixu,
and Applied Risk, to establish **“DNV Cyber”**, one of Europe’s fastest-growing cybersecurity service providers.
DNV、サイバーアウルを買収。海運業界のサイバーセキュリティーを強化
ノルウェー・オスロに本拠地を置く第三者認証機関でリスク管理プロバイダーのDNVは、このほどサイバーアウル（CyberOwl）を買収したと発表した。サイバーアウルは、海運業界におけるサイバーリスクの監視や脅威管理の専門企業である。今回の買収により、両社は世界最大規模の海運システムに対するサイバーセキュリティー専門家集団を形成し、海運業界のサイバー防御力の強化を目指す。サイバーアウルはDNVの船級事業とは別に独立して運営される。
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