Cyber-SHIP Lab

Cyber-SHIP Lab
MottoSecuring Maritime
TypeResearch and Development
Established2019
Parent institution
University of Plymouth
Pricinipal InvestigatorProfessor Kevin Jones
Academic staff
11
Location
Plymouth
,
Devon
,
England
Websitehttps://www.plymouth.ac.uk/research/cyber-ship-lab

Cyber-SHIP Lab, situated at the University of Plymouth, is a research facility dedicated to researching and address cybersecurity threats in the maritime industry. Professor Kevin Jones is the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation at the university and Principal Investigator at the lab.

The lab is able to create realistic physical twins of networks of ship equipment to test for vulnerabilities against maritime control systems. The lab works with industry to ensure the security of shipping infrastructure.

History

The Cyber-SHIP Lab was founded in 2019 as a collaborative initiative between the University of Plymouth and industry partners. It was funded by Research England. The lab was initially given three years funding which expired in 2022. The lab cost £3 million to construct.

In 2021, the lab partnered with the Royal Navy on marine-tech projects including the Project Hecla, originally started in 2018.

In 2023 and 2024, the lab co-organised a symposium on maritime cybersecurity and resilience along with the International Maritime Organization. The event was held in London. The lab continued to organise events in 2026, partnering with the Canadian Department of National Defence to run training courses.

References

  1. 1 2 "Cyber-SHIP Lab: Testing and safeguarding actual maritime systems". Help Net Security. 2019-11-04. Retrieved 2023-12-08.
  2. ↑ Goud, Naveen (2019-11-05). "UK hosts £3 Million 'Cyber Ship Lab' to Prevent Cyber Attacks on Maritime". Cybersecurity Insiders. Retrieved 2023-12-08.
  3. ↑ ana (2022-08-11). "University of Plymouth and BMT join forces to improve cyber security in the maritime sector". SHIP IP LTD. Retrieved 2023-12-07.
  4. ↑ "Cyber-SHIP Lab". University of Plymouth. Retrieved 2023-12-07.
  5. ↑ blogs.blackberry.com. "Maritime Cyberthreats: A Growing Risk to Global Trade". blogs.blackberry.com. Retrieved 2024-07-06.
  6. ↑ Atkins, Paul (2026-01-29). "'We've got a really exciting future' - why Plymouth is leading the way in maritime cyber security". Devon Live. Retrieved 2026-05-24.
  7. ↑ Eason, Craig (2025-06-27). "'We make people sweat': How hacking experts are scaring shipping giants into action". tradewindsnews.com. Retrieved 2025-07-05.
  8. ↑ "Cyber-SHIP Lab: Testing and safeguarding actual maritime systems". Help Net Security. 2019-11-04. Retrieved 2026-08-18.
  9. ↑ Codingest (2020-03-14). "Industry involvement vital in creation of unique new Cyber-SHIP Lab". Sea Wanderer. Retrieved 2023-12-08.
  10. ↑ "University of Plymouth sets sights on marine cyber security". Marine Industry News. 2022-08-04. Retrieved 2023-12-08.
  11. ↑ admin (2019-11-08). "Maritime Cyber security lab launched for UK shipping industry". SHIP IP LTD. Retrieved 2023-12-08.
  12. ↑ "Cyber-SHIP Lab: Testing and safeguarding actual maritime systems". Help Net Security. 2019-11-04. Retrieved 2024-07-06.
  13. ↑ Telford, William (2021-06-28). "University of Plymouth and Royal Navy partner on marine tech project". Business Live. Retrieved 2023-12-08.
  14. ↑ "Royal Navy trials underwater gliders that can aid submarine hunters". Royal Navy.
  15. ↑ "Plymouth University, Maritime Organization Host Annual Cyber Symposium". Mirage News. Retrieved 2023-12-08.
  16. ↑ "Symposium on maritime cyber security and resilience". www.imo.org. Retrieved 2026-05-24.
  17. ↑ "IMO/University of Plymouth Symposium on maritime cyber security and resilience, 1-2 November 2023". International Maritime Organization. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
  18. ↑ "Symposium - Maritime cyber security and resilience". International Maritime Organization. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
  19. ↑ Sadongdong, Martin (2026-02-20). "DND deepens maritime cyber defense push with UK, Canada". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved 2026-08-18.