Exploring cyber security threats and security models in cross-border paperless maritime trade system

Cross-border paperless trade is the digital exchange of trade-related information and documents between countries, eliminating the need for physical paper, thereby streamlining and speeding up international trade processes. Adopting paperless systems in cross-border trade offers numerous benefits, including increased efficiency, cost savings, and faster processing times for private companies or public bodies, including governments, suppliers, logistics providers, customs, regulatory agencies, sellers and buyers. However, this transition also introduces a range of cybersecurity challenges. This paper investigates the cyber security threats and security models pertinent to paperless cross-border trade systems. In this study, the types of cyber threats and current security measures are explored, and an enhanced cyber security model for paperless cross-border maritime trade systems is proposed based on ISO/IEC 27,001 Information Security Management System and NIST SP 800–53 Security and Privacy Controls for Information Systems and Organizations to mitigate potential cyber risks. It is concluded that to adopt effective cybersecurity strategies, identifying assets in cross-border paperless trade systems is required. Assets encompass data, infrastructure, applications, and personnel in these systems. For the robust cyber security model in the cross-border paperless trade systems, traditional security measures, such as firewalls, encryption, or multi-factor authentication, are required to be integrated with emerging security technologies, such as zero trust architecture, artificial intelligence, or blockchain technologies and security framework including layered security approach, real-time threat detection and response, secure data exchange protocols, policy development, stakeholder collaboration and training and awareness programs.