Cybersecurity in ports: Shifting from risk to resilience

This report examines the growing cybersecurity risks ports face. Drawing on a global survey of 109 port stakeholders, in-depth expert interviews, and desk-based research, it provides a comprehensive overview of cybersecurity policies, practices, and barriers across port ecosystems worldwide. While being global in scope, the report sets a particular focus on low- and middle-income countries.

The findings reveal persistent gaps in cyber resilience across all country income groups. Even in high-income countries, full compliance with cybersecurity frameworks, consistent risk assessments, and incident preparedness remain uneven in the port sector. In low- and middle-income settings, these challenges are even more pronounced, reflecting thinner policy coverage, wider skills gaps, and more constrained resources. As ports become more interconnected through digital platforms, such gaps create shared vulnerabilities that can generate cascading, cross-border economic impacts beyond the port and its ecosystem.