(MSO702) – Assessment 1 Cyber and Physical Risks in UK Maritime Infrastructure

Assessment Brief: Maritime Security Operations (MSO702) – Assessment 1

Module Title: Maritime Security Operations Module Code: MSO702 Level: 7 (Postgraduate) Credits: 15 Assessment Weighting: 50% of module mark Assessment Type: Individual Report Word Count: 3,000 words (excluding references, appendices, and figures/tables) Submission Deadline: Monday, 1 December 2025, 4:00 PM (via Turnitin on Canvas) Feedback and Provisional Mark: Within 15 working days via Canvas

Module Learning Outcomes Assessed

This assessment addresses the following learning outcomes (LOs):

• LO1: Analyse contemporary threats to maritime security, including physical, cyber, and human factors in port and shipping environments.
• LO3: Apply security risk management frameworks to evaluate vulnerabilities in maritime infrastructure, drawing on international regulations like the ISPS Code.
• LO4: Develop strategic recommendations for enhancing security protocols in logistics operations, considering stakeholder collaboration and emerging technologies.

Assessment Task

You are required to produce an individual report that performs a Security Risk Assessment (SRA) for a hypothetical major container port in the UK (e.g., based on the Port of Liverpool), facing threats such as terrorism, cargo smuggling, and cyberattacks on automated systems. The scenario includes increased geopolitical tensions leading to potential sabotage of supply chains and digital disruptions to cargo tracking.

Your report should:

1. Identify Key Threats and Vulnerabilities: Outline at least six major threats (e.g., insider threats, drone incursions, ransomware attacks) using methodologies like SWOT analysis or the ISPS Code’s risk matrix. Incorporate data from recent events (e.g., 2024 Red Sea disruptions or 2023 port cyber incidents).
2. Conduct Risk Evaluation: Employ qualitative and quantitative tools (e.g., Failure Mode and Effects Analysis – FMEA or probabilistic modeling) to assess threat likelihood, impact, and exposure. Provide evidence-based scoring and prioritize risks (appendices for detailed calculations).
3. Recommend Security Enhancements: Propose at least four integrated measures per high-priority risk, such as advanced surveillance systems, employee training programs, or blockchain for secure data sharing. Justify these with reference to cost-benefit analysis and compliance with SOLAS and EU port security directives.
4. Evaluate Implementation and Future Outlook: Discuss challenges in stakeholder coordination (e.g., with customs authorities) and the role of AI in predictive security by 2030. Reflect on how these measures contribute to sustainable and resilient maritime logistics.

The report must exhibit critical thinking, backed by scholarly sources and industry insights. Structure it as: Abstract (150 words), Introduction, Methodology, Analysis Sections (as above), Discussion, Conclusion, and References (Harvard style). Use diagrams (e.g., threat trees, risk heat maps) for illustration.

Assessment Criteria and Marking Rubric

The report will be marked out of 100, aligned to the following criteria (percentages indicative):

Penalties: Word count excess >10% incurs 10% deduction; late submissions lose 5% per day (capped at 15%). Declare AI tool usage; failure may lead to investigation.

Support and Resources

• Lecturer Contact: Prof. [Your Name], email: [email protected]; Office Hours: Thursdays 2-4 PM.
• Recommended Reading: IMO (2024) ISPS Code Amendments; BIMCO (2025) Cyber Security Workbook for On Board Ship Use.
• Skills Workshops: Threat Modeling webinar on 10 November 2025 (register via Canvas).
• Extensions: Submit via Mitigating Circumstances at least 72 hours prior.

This assessment equips you for careers in port security management or maritime intelligence, aligning with industry demands for proactive threat mitigation.

Peer-Reviewed References

These references align with the assignment’s emphasis on security risk assessment, threats, and mitigation in port and maritime operations, sourced from journals via Google Scholar and publisher sites (2019–2025).

• Kismartini, K., Yusuf, I.M., Sabilla, K.R. and Roziqin, A., 2024. A bibliometric analysis of maritime security policy: Research trends and future agenda. Heliyon, 10(8), p.e28988.
• Perkovič, M., Gucma, L. and Feuerstack, S., 2024. Maritime Security and Risk Assessments. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, 12(6), p.988.
• Tam, K., Moara-Nkwe, K. and Jones, K., 2021. A Conceptual Cyber-Risk Assessment of Port Infrastructure. In: World of Shipping Portugal, An International Research Conference on Maritime Affairs, 28-29 January. Parede, Portugal.
• Tambe, S., Kulkarni, A. and Krishnan, S., 2024. Decoding dependencies among the risk factors influencing maritime cybersecurity: Lessons learned from historical incidents in the past two decades. Ocean Engineering, 312(Part 1), p.119078.