CYBERSECURITY
regulated industries — including transportation — will soon operate under stronger national cybersecurity expectations. When these programs are aligned with the Maritime Security Strategic Framework (MSSF), Marine Transportation Security Regulations (MTSR), and Transport Canada’s oversight, they can reinforce each other to create a unified, modern approach to maritime resilience. Both the CCSPA and MSSF share the same intent: strengthening resili- ence against both cyber and physical disruptions. Transport Canada’s role as sector regulator allows for consist- ent oversight, ensuring that risk assess- ments, security plans, and incident reporting within the marine sector can complement rather than duplicate one another. The key is coordination. When poli- cies and programs evolve together, they build efficiency, clarity, and trust across the transportation ecosystem. If they diverge, organizations risk facing duplicated reporting, overlapping aud- its, or, worse, gaps between cyber and physical preparedness. In practice, this means aligning cybersecurity planning with existing
cybersecurity almost invisible—not because it disappears, but because it becomes part of how the work gets done. “Ports don’t have to choose between security and throughput.” The future port As automation, AI, and data sharing accelerate, the gap between IT and OT will either widen or close depending on how leaders act today. Cybersecurity is now inseparable from modernization efforts such as shore power, vessel electrification, and AI-assisted logistics. Each innovation adds value but also introduces new dependencies. Collaboration across Pacific ports isn’t just about security; it’s about ensuring that the technol- ogy enabling smarter, more sustainable trade is also trustworthy. Bridging the divide isn’t about add- ing layers of control — it’s about creat- ing alignment. When leadership treats cybersecurity as shared accountability, resilience follows. The ports that suc- ceed will be those that see digital and operational systems as one ecosystem: secure, adaptable, and built on trust. After two decades in this field, I’ve learned that cybersecurity isn’t about fear—it’s about foresight. Ports that plan ahead don’t just survive; they lead. Every container that moves, every vessel that sails, depends on unseen sys- tems working in harmony. Protecting those systems is more than a technical challenge — it’s a shared responsibility for the global good. “The bridge between IT and OT is where resilience is won or lost.” Walter Anderson is the Founder of PortSecure Cybersecurity | CISO, Nanaimo Port Authority, Nanaimo, BC, Canada. For more information, visit: www.portsecurecyber.com, https://www.linkedin.com/in/ andersonwalter/, or Instagram @ iamwalteranderson
marine security processes, encour- aging shared intelligence, and main- taining a single, integrated rhythm of risk management. When government, regulators, and industry stay in sync, compliance transforms into confi- dence, and Canada’s ports become stronger for it. Building the bridge So what does bridging IT and OT look like in practice? It begins with awareness and grows through collaboration. Start with mapping what you have. Even a basic inventory gives you con- trol over the unknown. Next, seg- ment wisely—separating systems so a single compromise can’t cascade through your network. Then, gov- ern access carefully; many risks stem from over-permissioned accounts and unmonitored vendor connections. Add monitoring and detection so unusual behaviour stands out early. Finally, practice the plan. Each exer- cise exposes gaps you can close before they cause harm. These aren’t one-time tasks; they’re ongoing habits. When integrated into daily operations, they make
44 — PACIFIC PORTS — October/November 2025
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