Encrypting AIS data?

[Ian_Edwards]

I've just read an article on encrypting parts of the AIS data message, designed to help counter piracy.
Encrypting Vessel ID Data Can Thwart Maritime Piracy
The artical seemed a little confused, from a safety point of view, it seems that position, speed course and rate of turn must be available to all.
Does anyone have a clear description of the proposed changes, abd what it would mean for the small boat sailor?

 

[roaringgirl]

AIS data is by its nature broadcast to all. I presume they're talking about the info on destination, last port of call and cargo - which I can't change on my transceiver anyway!

 

[dunedin]

Seems a confused article. If AIS messages had encryption of the location information, as was suggested, it would defeat the whole purpose of AIS

 

[Stemar]

AIS data is by its nature broadcast to all. I presume they're talking about the info on destination, last port of call and cargo - which I can't change on my transceiver anyway!

It's a big ship with a crew, so worth lots of money. That's all most pirates are interested in. A few suitably equipped ex-marines would be a far more effective protection.

 

[Refueler]

Big Ship and Yachts AIS ............ two different worlds. When you see the 2/O inputting the data before departing port etc. - then you realise the difference.

The Pirates are interested in all info about a possible vessel and in fact many vessels are ignored based on that extra data not being what they look for.

 

[dunedin]

Big Ship and Yachts AIS ............ two different worlds. When you see the 2/O inputting the data before departing port etc. - then you realise the difference.

The Pirates are interested in all info about a possible vessel and in fact many vessels are ignored based on that extra data not being what they look for.

Yes of course there is Class A and Class B AIS.
I can see it might be worth omitting details of sensitive cargo and possibly destination in some circumstances - but simply blanking with spaces can do this without encryption.
And encrypting the ship's location on an AIS message, as the article suggests, is just bonkers. Might as well simply switch off AIS, as lost all navigation safety value.

 

[Minerva]

Is why I’ve never seen a cargo ship saying it’s carrying a gazillion bars of gold bullion and tonnes of diamonds?

 

[Refueler]

Cargo is not as far as I know listed on any AIS .... just the vessel type.

The last and next port and whether loaded / ballast is sensitive info in many cases ... and why some decline to input.

Contrary to 'public official statements' - it is common for AIS to be switched OFF approaching / transiting / leaving sensitive areas.

It has to be taken into mind that a ship is not as a yacht.

If monitoring 'patrols' protecting through Piracy areas have access to decode encrypted - then why not. But being 'in the biz' so to speak - its likely a waste of time.

Piracy is thought by many to be just 'poor fisherman' out to get some advantage - if only that was true. There are too many indicators that organised crime and serious people are behind it. Who is going to prevent them from gaining the decryption system ?

 

[dunedin]

Is why I’ve never seen a cargo ship saying it’s carrying a gazillion bars of gold bullion and tonnes of diamonds?

Perhaps the ideal cargo manifest description on AIS for passing through some waters would be - “platoon of very trigger happy and bored mercenaries” ?

 

[dunedin]

Cargo is not as far as I know listed on any AIS .... just the vessel type.

The last and next port and whether loaded / ballast is sensitive info in many cases ... and why some decline to input.

Contrary to 'public official statements' - it is common for AIS to be switched OFF approaching / transiting / leaving sensitive areas.

It has to be taken into mind that a ship is not as a yacht.

If monitoring 'patrols' protecting through Piracy areas have access to decode encrypted - then why not. But being 'in the biz' so to speak - its likely a waste of time.

Piracy is thought by many to be just 'poor fisherman' out to get some advantage - if only that was true. There are too many indicators that organised crime and serious people are behind it. Who is going to prevent them from gaining the decryption system ?

For communication between at risk ships and military protection, surely switching off AIS and using a satellite phone would be much better.
Anything broadcasting encrypted AIS messages would be easily spotted on the airwaves, and instantly a smart pirate would suspect the need for encryption implies a likely target. Quick direction find on VHF signal and go for an intercept.
Full radio and AIS silence is a much safer option.

 

[AntarcticPilot]

For communication between at risk ships and military protection, surely switching off AIS and using a satellite phone would be much better.
Anything broadcasting encrypted AIS messages would be easily spotted on the airwaves, and instantly a smart pirate would suspect the need for encryption implies a likely target. Quick direction find on VHF signal and go for an intercept.
Full radio and AIS silence is a much safer option.

There is an issue that AIS is an enforcement tool for things like protected areas, fisheries etc. In some parts of the world, switching AIS off will result in serious visits from enforcement officials, with substantial fines and/or impounding the vessel.

 

[Refueler]

For communication between at risk ships and military protection, surely switching off AIS and using a satellite phone would be much better.
Anything broadcasting encrypted AIS messages would be easily spotted on the airwaves, and instantly a smart pirate would suspect the need for encryption implies a likely target. Quick direction find on VHF signal and go for an intercept.
Full radio and AIS silence is a much safer option.

Switch Off is the usual action at present ..... so really the whole subject is talk and only talk.

 

[Refueler]

There is an issue that AIS is an enforcement tool for things like protected areas, fisheries etc. In some parts of the world, switching AIS off will result in serious visits from enforcement officials, with substantial fines and/or impounding the vessel.

Luckily so far - such areas are not Piracy areas ......

Second where suspected activity is .... satelite and other surveillance is used, so whether AIS is on / off makes little difference.

Big Bruv is watching !!

 

[AntarcticPilot]

Luckily so far - such areas are not Piracy areas ......

Second where suspected activity is .... satelite and other surveillance is used, so whether AIS is on / off makes little difference.

Big Bruv is watching !!

I didn't think there would be much overlap if any - most of my knowledge comes from fisheries zones in the Southern Ocean! I did wonder about monitoring economic zones in the Persian Gulf, though - but I guess that plain radar works fine there! And yes, you're right - satellite surveillance is also used, but a vessel that shows up on (say) SAR but NOT on AIS is automatically suspect!

I was involved in satellite SAR in the early days (1980s) and was very aware that under some circumstances nuclear submarines showed up on the data. I was at a dinner where the guest of honour was First Officer (I think) of HMS Churchill. I casually mentioned this in conversation, and you haven't seen someone clam up so quick in your life! But it was common knowledge among those working on satellite SAR; something that he obviously thought was deadly hush-hush was simply not capable of being hidden!

 

[laika]

Cargo is not as far as I know listed on any AIS .... just the vessel type.

They may mean the cargo type encoded in the vessel type:
https://help.marinetraffic.com/hc/en-us/articles/205579997

I don't believe this counts as a "proposed change": it's a couple of random American defense (sic) contractors writing an opinion piece in a magazine and without detail it's all just hand waving. If nothing else, what (high level) kind of encryption are they talking about? symmetric? asymmetric? And how does key management work?

If this is for shore-side tracking by authorities as an alternative to AIS they'd be better introducing an entirely different mechanism.

Note to self on the topic of home-brew radio hackery...might be handy if a warship appeared to be escorting a small yacht crossing pirate-infested waters...

 

[Sandy]

As many have said a confused article written by someone who does not have a clue about the subject.

 

[Refueler]

I can say this as an observer and having met many of them.

Ships that were going to transit piracy areas such as approaches to Red Sea etc. - they would often have a "visitor" at port before departure. This person would have files and material related to the matter and give talk to ships Master / Officers.

Unfortunately - these persons were often lacking in latest info, could only talk generally, and usually a Ships C/Off or Master on vacation seconded into visiting ships.

Despite what you may read about this ... the matter is poorly covered and the Military patrols are severely limited in the action they can take. Too often - action was delayed as they can only take DEFENSIVE action .... not OFFENSIVE / pre-emptive.

There has been big money involved in countering piracy ... 'Mercenary Guard Companys formed to provide armed guards on board .... km's of Razor Wire to install round vessels .....
Like Airport security .... too much money in it to go away too quickly.