Cyberattacks against ports and maritime operators are on the rise as legacy OT systems integrate with modern IT networks. These environments are ripe targets for credential abuse, ransomware, and nation-state adversaries. Yet many operators overlook fast, high-impact changes that significantly improve cybersecurity. At MAD Security, we have helped maritime operators and defense contractors quickly reduce risk by tightening access controls.
The Cybersecurity Plan must include seven account security measures for owners or operators of a U.S.-flagged vessel, facility, or OCS facility: (1) enabling of automatic account lockout after repeated failed log in attempts on all password protected information technology (IT) systems; (2) changing default passwords (or implementing other compensating security controls if unfeasible) before using any IT or operational technology (OT) systems; (3) maintaining a minimum password strength on all IT and OT systems technically capable of password protection; (4) implementing multifactor authentication on password-protected IT and remotely accessible OT systems; (5) applying the principle of least privilege to administrator or otherwise privileged accounts on both IT and OT systems; (6) maintaining separate user credentials on critical IT and OT systems; and (7) removing or revoking user credentials when a user leaves the organization.
Many breaches begin with a single compromised account. Whether through phishing, credential stuffing, or reused passwords, attackers often exploit simple mistakes. Access control is your first line of defense. Without it, no amount of perimeter security can protect your systems. These quick wins deliver measurable improvement, minimal disruption, and are often budget friendly.
MAD Security frequently encounters default or reused passwords in maritime environments, such as "admin123"
on OT interfaces or shared logins for port control systems. These poor practices are among the easiest to fix and have the biggest security payoff.
To improve:
| Enforce strong password policies (12+ characters, upper/lowercase, numbers, symbols) | |
| Eliminate password reuse across systems, especially between IT and OT | |
| Immediately change default credentials | |
| Deploy password managers where feasible to ease adoption | |
| Enable automatic lockout after multiple failed attempts and after an appropriate period of inactivity |
Compliance Tip: Documented password policies and evidence of enforcement support compliance with the Coast Guard Final Rule, as well as NIST 800-171 controls 3.1.1 and 3.5.7.
MFA prevents unauthorized access even when credentials are stolen. While many OT systems do not support MFA directly, it can still be deployed in ways that protect critical access paths.
| VPNs | |
| Remote desktops (RDP) | |
| Cloud-based apps | |
| IT-administered OT interfaces |
| Use jump boxes with enforced MFA | |
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Leverage identity brokers or front-end MFA gateways |
Compliance Tip: MFA implementation aligns with the Coast Guard Final Rule on Cybersecurity in the Marine Transportation System, as well as CMMC practices IA.3.083 and AC.2.016. Supporting evidence includes policy documentation, configuration reports, and access logs.
Shared accounts are common in maritime operations, but they pose major significant security and compliance risks. Without individual logins, it is impossible to trace activity or revoke access when employees leave.
To address this:
| Replace shared accounts with individual logins | |
| Implement role-based access controls (RBAC) | |
| Use access logs to track privileged user actions | |
| Regularly audit and remove overprivileged accounts |
In addition to meeting the Final Rule’s guidance on cybersecurity, these wins support compliance with NIST 800-171 and accepted best practices. Addressing the fundamentals first builds a strong foundation for your compliance journey.
| Quick Win | CMMC Practices | NIST 800-171 Controls |
| Strong Passwords | AC.1.001, IA.5.1.1 | 3.1.1, 3.5.7 |
| MFA Enforcement | IA.3.083, AC.2.016 | 3.5.3, 3.1.2 |
| Privilege Management | AC.2.007, AU.2.041 | 3.1.6, 3.3.1 |
Auditors and assessors will expect:
| Password policy documents | |
| MFA deployment reports |
|
| Account inventory and access logs | |
| Account inventory and access logs |
We help clients:
| Eliminate password and MFA gaps | |
| Secure access in legacy OT environments | |
| Achieve CMMC Level 2 readiness | |
| Pass JSVA and other federal assessments with confidence |
Not sure where to begin?
MAD Security offers access control assessments tailored to maritime and defense environments.
Schedule a Rapid Access Control Gap Review to:
| Identify your current risk posture | |
| Map quick wins to CMMC and NIST requirements | |
| Create a remediation plan backed by compliance experts |
Original Publish Date: November 18, 2025
By: MAD Security