Maritime Cybersecurity That Meets
the MTSA Final Rule
U.S. Coast Guard Compliance | OT/IT Threat Monitoring | Managed Detection for Ports and Vessels
On July 16, 2025, the U.S. Coast Guard’s Final Rule on Cybersecurity in the Maritime Transportation System (MTS) went into effect, formally requiring MTSA-regulated facilities to address cyber risk. Port authorities, terminal operators, and vessel owners must now implement and document cybersecurity protections across their operational and IT systems.
MAD Security delivers the monitoring, response, and compliance support needed to meet this mandate. Our managed security services help you detect lateral threats, secure OT/IT environments, and prepare for cyber inspections; all with documentation aligned to MTSA, NVIC 01-20, and NIST best practices.
Who We Serve
We support MTSA-regulated port facilities, terminals, vessel operators, and cruise lines with security operations that align to real inspection expectations.
Cyber Risks Facing Maritime Operators
Cyber threats targeting the maritime sector are growing, and federal oversight has caught up. Operational technology (OT) systems, port infrastructure, and vessel networks are increasingly vulnerable to ransomware, lateral movement, and state-sponsored attacks.
With the U.S. Coast Guard’s MTSA Final Rule now in effect as of July 16, 2025, regulated facilities are required to implement cybersecurity measures, document risk assessments, and respond to cyber incidents as part of compliance.
Despite this, many maritime organizations still face challenges such as:
Limited visibility across OT and IT environments
Outdated or incomplete Facility Security Assessments (FSAs)
No formal cyber response plan or escalation path
Gaps in monitoring tools that miss east-west movement
Unclear roles between IT teams, operations, and third-party vendors
How MAD Security Helps
We provide managed detection, documentation, and compliance readiness aligned to:
The MTSA Final Rule and NVIC 01-20
NIST SP 800-53 and 800-82 guidance for critical infrastructure
Facility-level control validation and inspection support
Whether you operate terminals, vessels, or shore-based systems, we help you stay secure, prove readiness, and keep operations moving.
What Most Tools Miss And How MAD Security Covers It
Why MAD Security for Maritime Organizations
MTSA-regulated facilities need more than basic alerting tools. They need partners who understand operational technology, regulatory timelines, and how to deliver cybersecurity that holds up under inspection.
MAD Security brings the experience and structure maritime organizations need to meet Coast Guard expectations and secure their operations without adding internal burden. You get:
A fully managed 24/7 Security Operations Center trained to detect threats across OT and IT environments
SOC workflows aligned with MTSA Final Rule requirements and NVIC 01-20 inspection protocols
U.S.-based analysts with experience supporting critical infrastructure and facility response plans
NIST SP 800-53 and 800-82 alignment built into every detection, documentation, and response process
A clear, auditable Shared Responsibility Matrix that defines roles between your team, vendors, and MAD
Recognition as a Top 250 MSSP four years running, with operational expertise supporting maritime clients
We help maritime security officers and infrastructure leaders move from reactive tools to a proactive cybersecurity posture with evidence and readiness that inspectors expect.
Security Operations Center (SOC-as-a-Service)
24/7 alert triage, incident validation, and MTSA-aligned response support.
Live analyst support with maritime-specific threat uses cases
Custom incident response playbooks aligned to inspection criteria
Real-time documentation mapped to NVIC 01-20 requirements
Network Detection and Response (NDR)
East-west monitoring and threat detection across OT and IT systems.
Context-aware threat correlation across hybrid environments
Support for ICS/SCADA visibility without disrupting operations
Alerts enriched with behavioral analytics
Virtual Compliance Management (VCM)
Inspection prep and documentation support for MTSA cybersecurity expectations.
Cyber risk assessments mapped to the MTSA Final Rule
Policy consulting, incident response plan development, and documentation reviews
Ongoing compliance monitoring with shared responsibility tracking
Vulnerability Management
Reduce attack surface and stay ahead of inspection findings.
Continuous vulnerability scanning for IT and OT systems
Risk-based prioritization and patch validation
Reporting mapped to MTSA requirements and NIST 800-53
Email Security and Awareness Training
Prevent credential theft and ransomware through layered user protection.
Managed phishing-resistant email filtering
Simulated phishing campaigns tailored to maritime roles
User-level training, reporting, and audit-ready tracking
Regulatory Readiness: MTSA, NVIC 01-20, and NIST
Cybersecurity is now a formal part of regulatory compliance for MTSA-regulated facilities.
As of July 16, 2025, the U.S. Coast Guard’s Final Rule on Cybersecurity in the Maritime Transportation System (MTS) requires port operators, terminal facilities, and regulated entities to identify, document, and reduce cyber risks that could impact maritime operations.
MAD Security helps you align operations with three key frameworks:
MTSA Final Rule (2025)
Requires cybersecurity risk assessments and response planning
Applies to facilities governed under 33 CFR Part 105
Supports integration of cyber into Facility Security Assessments (FSAs)
How we help:
We provide monitoring, threat detection, incident documentation, and control validation mapped to MTSA expectations including support for inspection preparedness.
NVIC 01-20 (USCG Guidance)
Outlines how cyber risks should be addressed under MTSA compliance
Offers implementation guidance for FSAs and Facility Security Plans (FSPs)
Recommends layered defense, detection, and reporting capabilities
How we help:
Our detection and response services follow the layered model in NVIC 01-20. We also provide documentation and incident evidence mapped to inspection standards.
NIST Frameworks (800-53/800-82)
Recognized baseline for control families across IT and OT systems
Supports Coast Guard-aligned implementation of technical controls
Includes specific guidance for ICS and SCADA environments
How we help:
All MAD services are aligned with NIST 800-53 and 800-82, helping maritime clients implement technical controls, monitor effectiveness, and maintain readiness across IT and OT environments.
Proven Results in Maritime Cybersecurity
We’ve helped maritime organizations across ports, terminals, and vessels transition from reactive tools to operational cybersecurity programs that satisfy both regulators and real-world threats.
Examples of outcomes we deliver:
Successful completion and continuous maintenance of a NIST 800-53 Moderate Authority to Operate (ATO) for multiple vessels
Deployment of a full SOC-as-a-Service environment onboard a national cruise line, integrated with IT and OT systems
Rapid implementation of detection and response across port and terminal operations
MTSA-aligned documentation and response plans mapped to NVIC 01-20
Cyber risk assessments used in updates to Facility Security Assessments (FSAs)
In every engagement, we support operational continuity, regulatory inspection of readiness, and threat detection tailored to maritime environments.
"MAD Security gave us structure and support that didn’t stop after onboarding. Their team helped us build a program we can defend and rely on."
— Director of Maritime IT Security
Book a Maritime Cybersecurity Consultation
Whether you operate a port, terminal, vessel, or cruise line, cybersecurity is now a regulatory requirement and a mission-critical necessity.
MAD Security helps maritime organizations meet the MTSA Final Rule, detect threats across OT/IT systems, and stay ready for U.S. Coast Guard inspections.
Let’s evaluate your current readiness, identify compliance gaps, and design a monitoring and response plan tailored to your operational environment.