DNV’s acquisition of maritime cyber security specialist Cyberowl this year illustrates the class society’s intent on bringing the sector front and centre in the maritime world but in reality was the latest in a host of similar moves.

In 2007 DNV established cybersecurity services which included advisory, recommended practices, academy training, as well as cyber class notation and type approval. In 2021 it acquired Netherlands-based Applied Risk, a provider of industrial cybersecurity solutions and last year bought Finland’s Nixu, a cybersecurity services company. This year’s Cyberowl deal was indeed the culmination of years of bolstering DNV’s cybersecurity offering to the effect that it now has over 550 professionals working in the field across 11 countries and is soon to launch DNV Cyber, a dedicated subsidiary reflecting its strength in the area.