ClassNK has granted its Innovation Endorsement to Inmarsat’s Fleet Secure Endpoint, verifying the solution’s fulfilment with functional elements that support effective cyber risk management as set out in the International Maritime Organization (IMO) 2021 regulation. The application for certification under the Innovation Endorsement scheme was submitted by Inmarsat’s partner JSAT MOBILE Communications.

Fleet Secure Endpoint is part of Inmarsat’s Fleet Secure suite of vessel network protection solution, developed in partnership with Port-IT. FSE, achieves cyber security across the five core functions of the NIST Framework on which the IMO 2021 regulation is based: Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, and Recover. It includes Security, Risk Assessment and Organisational Security Management Overview (OSMO) reports in format covering the IMO 2021 elements.

Recent updates to Fleet Secure Endpoint include the addition of a Cost Savings feature to the OSMO Report, allowing users to visualise the money saved by protecting the network from infection and avoiding subsequent IT maintenance costs. For example, one shipowner was able to see savings of approximately US$275,000 in six months having implemented Fleet Secure Endpoint across its 200-vessel fleet. Based on these figures, return on investment can be achieved in a matter of weeks.

Laurie Eve, Director of Retail, Inmarsat Maritime, said: “Fleet Secure Endpoint makes it easy for shipping companies to protect their vessel network and comply with regulatory requirements regardless of IT expertise available onboard. It, therefore, offers owners peace of mind at a time when cyber-attacks are on the rise. We are grateful to JSAT MOBILE Communications and Port-IT for their assistance in preparing the application, and, of course, to ClassNK for issuing the certification.”

Youri Hart, CEO, Port-IT, said: “What makes Fleet Secure Endpoint so valuable to shipping companies is that it is specifically designed for the maritime industry. Far from being an off-the-shelf Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) solution, it includes features designed for use at sea, with reports that are fully covering the IMO 2021 regulation. Furthermore, its benefits are available to owners and managers of any ship type and fleet size – and with any level of IT proficiency.”

Katsuaki Koike, CEO, JSAT MOBILE Communications, Inc., said: “ClassNK’s Innovation Endorsement demonstrates that Fleet Secure Endpoint fulfils its promises, giving customers the certainty that the product meets the elements set out in IMO 2021 cyber regulation. It also means that users can save time and money in evaluating the solution – as all necessary tests have already been performed by a leading classification society. We are pleased with the outcome of our collaboration with Inmarsat, Port-IT, and ClassNK.”

Inmarsat’s Fleet Secure combines three powerful components – Fleet Secure Endpoint, Fleet Secure Unified Threat Management, and Cyber Awareness Training, all aimed at proactively responding to a potential threat and available to Fleet Xpress customers.