The technology group Wärtsilä has been awarded a DNV GL type-approval certificate and cyber security certification by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) for its Translink solution, part of the company’s connected ECDIS concept. The cyber security verification has been issued according to the updated DNV GL rules and the internationally recognised standard for cyber security for bridge and navigation systems, IEC61162-460. Translink is a system that comprises the hardware, router, and software components.

Wärtsilä Translink becomes first ever solution fully compliant with latest IEC and DNV GL Cyber Security rules
Image caption: The Wärtsilä Translink provides a cyber secure gateway to connect Wärtsilä navigational systems. Copyright: Wärtsilä.

Together, they ensure that data can be encrypted as it is transmitted across the network using the latest protocols of cybersecurity. The certificates validate that the Translink Gateway has the key components in place to ensure secure operations. They also denote Wärtsilä’s commitment to developing cyber secure products in support of critical infrastructure and operations.

Wärtsilä achieved the certification after in-depth analysis by DNV GL, an independent third party, verifying that the system follows best practices on cyber security. The product is type approved and ready to be applied for vessels with the DNV GL Cyber Secure Class Notation, while the IEC reference aligns it with the industry prerequisites, as well as any regulatory requirements.

“Digitalisation offers more efficient and better ways of operating and designing vessel equipment, such as integrated voyage planning including the remote update of ECDIS charts. With a 3rd party cyber verification, vessel owners can take advantage of such new technologies with assurance that it follows best practice cyber security design. Wärtsilä Voyage has achieved the first Cyber Secure Type Approval using the updated February 2020 Type approval programme,” says Jarle Coll Blomhoff, Group leader Cyber Safety & Security, DNV GL.

“Great work has been done to ensure that Wärtsilä Translink not only complies, but sets the standard for ship-to-shore data exchange through secure channels. The full compliancy with IEC61162-460 and DNV GL Cyber Secure rules takes Wärtsilä Translink to an unprecedented level of security, quality and trust,” says Anton Karelskiy, Solution Manager, Wärtsilä Voyage.

Following more than ten years of experience in connecting ECDIS with implementation and certification of four generations of cyber security solutions, Translink provides a cyber secure gateway for Wärtsilä Navigation systems to the outside world, including for connecting ports (see recent Wärtsilä Navi-Port launch) or revolutionising voyage planning with the new Wärtsilä Navi-Planner.

Source: Wärtsilä