VDR is the abbreviation for voyage data recorder, and is a maritime black box. The system is typically comprised of a core unit which gathers data from bridge equipment and sensors, and stores the here are the findings information on internal hard drives. This unit is connected to an outer capsule that can be fixed or floating and is designed to withstand fire, high sea pressure, shock and penetration. The device is typically mounted on a ship and the capsule is positioned in a suitable location to facilitate quick retrieval in the case of a marine accident.

Current security standards for vdr systems contain requirements that ensure that the device can be found and returned by investigators after a maritime accident. However, these standards could also introduce vulnerabilities that could allow an attacker to alter the device and destroy or alter evidence. This article will show how these risks can be minimized without compromising the function of the device or restricting access to vital accident report data that it holds.

One of the issues highlighted by the attacks in this article is that a lot of VDRs depend on generic interfaces like USBs for software updates and downloads of data. These interfaces expose devices to a range of threats that can be exploited with widely available tools. Utilizing exclusive, specialized interfaces, you can reduce the chance of attacks. Additionally, requiring use of a key or another secured method of accessing these ports would help restrict their access and add additional levels of security.