► Smart Ships, as well as Partial Autonomous Ships and Fully Autonomous Ships, all heavily rely on communication technology but also remain vulnerable to cyber threats. Incidents such as hacking attempts on defense companies like Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering in 2021 and ransomware attacks targeting the world's largest shipping company, Maersk Line, in 2017, have underscored its significance.  

►  Since 2022, South Korea has made various attempts to enhance maritime cybersecurity. Efforts include hosting maritime safety policy forums, establishing and operating the Maritime Cybersecurity Research Society, and conducting policy research aimed at securing cyber capabilities among key practitioners in the Coast Guard and Navy. However, the formalization of threats and risks as well as the roles and responsibility of various actors involved, has yet to be established.

► Policy suggestions for enhancing national cybersecurity capabilities in the maritime domain include: 1) it is needed to recognize the national security significance inherent in maritime cybersecurity, 2) defining the necessary functions and missions concerning port cybersecurity and specifying visions and objectives by different functionalities are essential, and 3) recognizing that maritime cybersecurity requires international cooperation and expanding the scope of shared information is essential.