Day 1 of the two-day “Navigating Cyber Threats” workshop, organized by The Colombo Plan Maritime Advisory Programme and funded by the U.S. Embassy in Colombo, is currently taking place at the Courtyard by Marriott in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The workshop has gathered 45 participants and focuses on essential cybersecurity topics tailored for the maritime sector, including:

• The importance of cybersecurity in today’s landscape
• Fundamentals of cybersecurity and general awareness
• Cybersecurity domains relevant to port operations
• ISO 27001 policies and procedures for information security management
• Cyber risk management and practical approaches
• Case studies on cybersecurity challenges and solutions in ports

The training sessions are conducted by an expert panel from Experion Global, which includes Mr Manesh Nadarajan, Associate Manager – Cyber Security Practice, and Mr Krishnkumar Sureshkamath, Practice Head – IT Security Operations.

The sessions include interactive activities, real-world examples, and open discussions to enhance understanding and application in maritime contexts.

The first day was attended by Dr Benjamin Reyes, the Secretary General of The Colombo Plan, and high ranking officials of the SLPA including, Admiral Sirimewan Ranasinghe (Rtd), Chairman; Eng. Herath M.P. Jayawardhana Vice Chairman; Mr Ganaka Hemachandra Managing Director; and Mr Rohan Masakorala, Lead Consultant of The Colombo Plan Maritime Advisory Programme (MAP).