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Cruise ships are no longer just floating resorts—they are complex digital ecosystems that rival small cities. From navigation and propulsion systems to passenger Wi-Fi, casinos, and onboard medical centers, ships depend on interconnected technologies to operate smoothly. But with this complexity comes risk.
MXP Software, the leading provider of enterprise IT solutions for the cruise industry, has partnered with VikingCloud to strengthen cybersecurity and compliance for cruise operators worldwide. We sat down with the MXP team to discuss why this partnership is crucial, what risks the industry faces, and how cruise lines and their passengers stand to benefit.
Q: Why is cybersecurity such a pressing issue for the cruise industry right now?
MXP: Cruise lines face some very specific challenges. Ships rely heavily on satellite communications, which are slower and often less secure than land-based networks. Critical systems like navigation and propulsion are increasingly connected, which makes them potential targets. And because ships operate in international waters, regulations vary and are difficult to enforce consistently.
On top of that, long voyages often mean systems can go weeks without updates. A cyberattack in that environment doesn’t just risk data—it could impact safety equipment, booking systems, or even an entire fleet’s operations.
Q: How do these risks impact passengers directly?
MXP: Passenger networks are a big vulnerability. Cruise Wi-Fi is essentially a giant public hotspot shared by thousands of people, often with minimal encryption. Hackers can intercept data or launch man-in-the-middle attacks more easily here than in most environments.
Passengers also tend to let their guard down on vacation. They might do online banking, check work email, or share personal information on the ship’s network—without realizing that attackers could be watching.
We always encourage best practices like using VPNs, avoiding financial transactions onboard, and keeping devices updated before departure. But the reality is that many passengers assume they’re safe on a trusted cruise line, when in fact, the risks are real.
Q: We’ve seen headlines about cruise companies being hit by cyberattacks. What lessons should the industry be taking from these incidents?
MXP: A major cruise line operator is a prime example—they experienced multiple breaches between 2019 and 2021, including ransomware that exposed passenger health and financial data. They were fined $5 million for delayed reporting and weak controls like not having multifactor authentication in place.
More recently, a ransomware attack in 2023 on a maritime software provider affected over 1,000 vessels worldwide. And even ports aren’t immune—a major U.S. port attack in 2024 impacted 90,000 people.
These incidents highlight a simple truth: the maritime industry is a high-value target. Criminals, nation-states, and opportunistic hackers are all looking for weak points.
Q: How is the industry starting to respond to these threats?
MXP: We’re seeing positive movement. For example, leading tour operators have deployed AI-driven cybersecurity tools across their fleets. Cruise lines are banning personal Wi-Fi routers and unauthorized satellite devices like passenger-owned Starlink terminals because they introduce new attack vectors.
But while these measures help, they also show how complex the environment is. Ships have power plants, medical facilities, casinos, and thousands of connected passenger devices. Protecting all of that requires specialized expertise—this is where VikingCloud comes in.
Q: Why did MXP choose VikingCloud as a cybersecurity and compliance partner?
MXP: VikingCloud brings a unique combination of strengths:
- Proprietary tools and insights. VikingCloud’s advanced scanning technology and Cyber Risk Score give operators a measurable view of risk—helping us prioritize vulnerabilities and benchmark security against global peers.
- Scalability and global reach. As fleets grow and new technologies come online, VikingCloud scales seamlessly across ships, ports, and geographies.
- Maritime-specific security knowledge. They understand the operational risks unique to cruise industry environments—long voyages, satellite links, international regulations.
- Proven compliance expertise. VikingCloud is a leader in PCI DSS and payment security, which is critical when you’re processing the large number of transactions daily at sea.
For us, it wasn’t just about buying a security product. We wanted a partner who could help cruise operators meet today’s threats and tomorrow’s regulations. VikingCloud offers both.
Q: What do you expect this partnership to deliver for cruise operators and their passengers?
MXP: For operators, it means peace of mind. They’ll have a trusted partner helping them protect critical infrastructure, ensure compliance, and respond faster to threats. For passengers, it means a safer digital experience onboard—from the Wi-Fi they connect to, to the systems that process their payments and keep them safe at sea.
Cybersecurity can’t be an afterthought in this industry. With VikingCloud, we’re making it a core part of the cruise experience.
Closing Thoughts from VikingCloud
The cruise industry runs on trust—passengers expect safety, not only in how ships are operated but in how their personal data is handled. By partnering with MXP, we’re helping ensure that trust extends from the engine room to the Wi-Fi network.
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