Navigating New MTSA Cybersecurity Regulations

With cybersecurity threats growing more advanced and persistent, regulatory bodies are raising the bar—especially across critical infrastructure sectors. For facilities covered under the Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA), the U.S. Coast Guard is introducing new cybersecurity requirements that demand immediate attention.

As a trusted leader in Operational Technology (OT) cybersecurity, Champion Technology Services is here to guide you through this evolving compliance landscape and help strengthen your organization’s cyber resilience.

🚨What’s Changing with MTSA?

The MTSA originally focused on physical security, but recent updates now expand its scope to include cybersecurity risk management for MTSA-regulated facilities. These changes reflect growing concerns over vulnerabilities in control systems that support maritime operations—such as industrial control systems (ICS), SCADA, and networked sensors and actuators.

📋Key upcoming requirements include:

• ✅ Integration of cybersecurity into Facility Security Plans (FSPs)
• ✅ Regular cyber risk assessments
• ✅ Incident response plans for OT-specific threats
• ✅ Ongoing training and drills related to cyber incidents
• ✅ Demonstrating supply chain cybersecurity awareness and controls

🔐 Why It Matters to OT Environments

Unlike IT systems, OT environments are often built on legacy infrastructure using proprietary protocols—making them more vulnerable and harder to secure.

Yet these environments are increasingly targeted by:

• 🎯 Ransomware groups
• Nation-state actors
• ⚠️ Zero-day exploits in industrial hardware

These new MTSA rules underscore a simple truth: OT cybersecurity is no longer optional.

🧩 How Champion Can Help

Champion specializes in bridging the gap between compliance and real-world security by delivering customized OT cybersecurity solutions. Here’s how we can support your MTSA compliance journey:

1️⃣ Cybersecurity Risk Assessments

We evaluate your OT environment using standards like NIST CSF, IEC 62443, and USCG directives, identifying gaps and vulnerabilities.

2️⃣ FSP Cybersecurity Integration

We update or develop Facility Security Plans to meet evolving Coast Guard expectations—grounded in real-world OT constraints.

3️⃣ Secure Network Architecture

Champion engineers design resilient network infrastructures, including:

• Firewalls
• Industrial DMZs
• Secure remote access
• VLAN segmentation

4️⃣ OT-Focused Incident Response

We co-develop incident response playbooks tailored to OT systems—minimizing downtime and speeding up recovery.

5️⃣ Training and Simulation

Through hands-on workshops and tabletop drills, your OT personnel will be prepared to recognize and respond to incidents quickly.

6️⃣ Managed OT Security Services

Stay protected 24/7 with Champion’s monitoring, threat detection, and vulnerability management—purpose-built for industrial environments.

🏆 Why Champion?

We bring decades of experience across energy, manufacturing, terminals, and critical infrastructure sectors—where compliance and uptime are non-negotiable. Our team combines deep OT knowledge with practical cybersecurity expertise, ensuring your path to MTSA compliance is efficient, strategic, and secure.

💬 Final Thoughts

These MTSA changes aren’t just policy shifts—they’re a wake-up call for every operator of critical infrastructure. Let Champion Technology Services help you:

✅ Understand the new rules
✅ Achieve compliance
✅ Build cyber resilience for the future

We're here to help you navigate the MTSA requirements.