How do hackers typically breach marine safety systems?

Hackers often exploit vulnerabilities within marine safety systems by taking advantage of weaknesses in software or hardware, as well as leveraging social engineering tactics to gain unauthorized access or sensitive information. Exploited vulnerabilities might include outdated software, unpatched systems, or misconfigurations that can be easily manipulated.

Social engineering involves deceiving individuals into providing confidential information or access, often through phishing attempts or impersonation, which can compromise security measures in place. This method is particularly effective because it targets human behavior, leading employees or personnel to unwittingly allow access to systems or share sensitive data.

In contrast, legal compliance audits focus on ensuring regulatory adherence and do not actively contribute to breaches. Strong passwords are a critical defense mechanism that can help prevent unauthorized access, while antivirus software is crucial for protecting systems against malware but cannot by itself guard against all attack vectors. Hence, the combination of exploited vulnerabilities and social engineering poses a significant threat to marine safety systems.