Maritime Cyber Defense against Spoofing and Jamming Threats: Integrated Multi-Domain Maritime Awareness Framework: IMMAF

Abstract

The transition to the digital era has significantly enhanced the efficiency of navigational systems and maritime management. At the same time, however, it has increased the vulnerability of maritime infrastructure to cyber threats, particularly signal spoofing and signal jamming. These threats can undermine the reliability and integrity of positioning, navigation, communication, and maritime situational awareness systems, all of which are critical to the protection of national maritime interests.

This article aims to analyze the characteristics, mechanisms, and strategic implications of signal spoofing and signal jamming within the broader context of maritime cybersecurity. The study employs a qualitative documentary analysis of relevant strategic and legal frameworks, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982, Thailand’s National Maritime Security Plan 2023–2027, and the Maritime National Interest Protection Act B.E. 2562 (2019).

The findings indicated that the integration of multidimensional information through a Multi-Domain Awareness framework, together with the establishment of a Maritime Cyber Command and the development of a Maritime Cyber Intelligence system, would significantly strengthen national capabilities to detect, prevent, respond to, and recover from maritime cyber threats in a systematic and coordinated manner. Such measures would enhance maritime security resilience, protect critical maritime infrastructure, and safeguard the continuity and stability of national maritime interests.

The article therefore argues that maritime cybersecurity should be elevated from a predominantly technical concern to a strategic national security priority. An integrated institutional framework, supported by intelligence fusion, interagency coordination, technological capability development, and clearly defined command-and-control mechanisms, is essential for maintaining maritime security and strategic stability amid a rapidly evolving and increasingly complex security environment.