Training was designed to assist maritime hubs, ports and government agencies to strengthen their digital defence capabilities as Panama serves as a major hub for international maritime trade. Protecting these systems from cyber threats is crucial for the continuity of national maritime operations and for the wider trade routes and supply chains that connect Panama to the world. 

Training programme addressed key aspects of maritime cybersecurity such as digital transformation, cyber resilience, port technologies, protection of critical maritime infrastructure, supply chain security, insider threats, practical risk management and implementation of security standards. Training also sought to empower Panamanian authorities to independently create, implement, monitor and adapt their information security plans within maritime context as well as facilitate the exchange of international best practices. 

A key component of the training was a multi-agency exercise that allowed participating agencies to test their knowledge in simulated cyber crisis that simulated combined cyber challenges such as ransomware, disruptions, customs systems failure or disinformation as well as tested participants’ decision-making, coordination and communication protocols.    

Training was led by EU CyberNet maritime expert Lisbeth Laurie and strategic cybersecurity expert Dan Ungureanu. Training brought together representatives of the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP), National Customs Authority (ANA), National Aeronaval Service (SENAN), Aquatic Resources Authority (ARAP) and the National Authority for Government Innovation (AIG) and more than a dozen Panamanian organisations from the maritime, logistic and port sector.   

• Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/eucybernet/albums/72177720335637898/