Cybersecurity applications at sea; evaluation of cybersecurity awareness levels of Turkish seafarers and Turkish maritime industry employees

Cybersecurity is one of the leading contemporary challenges for the entire maritime industry. The increasing digitalization of maritime industry technology makes it increasingly vulnerable to cyber-attacks as ships and maritime infrastructure become more and more interconnected. In this context, cybersecurity is one of the most pressing issues facing the maritime industry today, not only for ensuring system safety and preventing accidents, loss of life and environmental damage, but also for national security and the global economy. From a maritime cybersecurity awareness perspective, end users are the most important building blocks for securing systems and protecting the information they process, as they are the maritime workers themselves. In this study, the cybersecurity issues and current threat dynamics in the maritime sector are examined within the framework of cybersecurity approaches. To evaluate the cybersecurity awareness levels of Turkish maritime employees, a "Five Point Likert Type Questionnaire" method was used. The study assessed the employees' knowledge and awareness of cyber security, the training they have received, the effectiveness of this training in ensuring cybersecurity, and the technological devices used. The data was analysed using "SPSS," and based on the findings, solution suggestions were developed to increase the level of awareness. Keywords: maritime cybersecurity, cyber threat, digitalization, maritime industry, vulnerabilities.