Understanding the Coast Guard’s Maritime Cybersecurity Requirements
Date and Time: Thursday, November 12th, 4:00PM – 5:00PM EST
Platform: Zoom
The circular clarifies existing requirements rather than establishing new ones, recognizing that implementation must reflect each entity’s operations, systems, and cyber risk profile.
Key topics will include:
- Cybersecurity Plans: Development, documentation, submission, and ongoing maintenance.
- Cybersecurity Officer designation and responsibilities: Including applicable personnel training requirements.
- Cybersecurity Assessments: Defining assessment scope, identifying critical information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) systems, and evaluating their interdependencies.
- Regulatory guidance and incident reporting: Understanding how NVIC 02-26 aligns with existing policy letters and cybersecurity incident reporting guidance.
Designed for vessel and facility owners and operators, security officers, cybersecurity leaders, and maritime risk and compliance professionals, this session will help participants identify practical next steps toward regulatory compliance and stronger operational resilience.
Join MaST for an in-depth look at what the regulation requires, how Coast Guard guidance supports implementation, and where organizations should focus their preparation ahead of the compliance milestone.
Our Presenters:
Moderator: Chris Wolski, President & CEO, Applied Security Convergence LLC
Chris Wolski is a distinguished information security expert and former information security officer for four different organizations including one of the nation’s largest ports and a Fortune 1000 company. Using his industry knowledge, Chris teaches courses for the Master of Legal Studies and Juris Doctorate programs at Texas A&M School of Law and teaches the Cybersecurity Bachelor of Applied Technology at Lone Star College. Additionally, he is the CEO of Applied Security Convergence, a consulting firm that guides small and medium businesses in e-commerce, maritime, and oil & gas industries through information security and compliance requirements. U.S. Navy Veteran and award-winning transformational information security leader, Chris has nearly three decades of cross-industry cybersecurity expertise. He has a distinguished track record of architecting comprehensive resilient cybersecurity strategies and building and developing world-class security teams while simultaneously bridging communication gaps, from frontline staff to boardroom dialogues, ensuring robust, organization-wide security alignment.
His career includes being awarded a U.S. Coast Guard Meritorious Service Citation for his work at stopping a nation-state cyber-attack within two hours and for increasing cyber security awareness in the Houston maritime industry. Chris holds an MBA and a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity from the University of Maryland Global Campus.
C.N. “Nick” Parham, Chief, Office of Maritime Cybersecurity Policy, U.S. Coast Guard
Mr. C.N. “Nick” Parham currently serves as the Chief, Office of Maritime Cybersecurity Policy (CG-MCP). Under the direction of the Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy (CG-5P) this office oversees development and execution of overarching national policy and guidance that support the implementation of the MTSA cybersecurity regulations and cybersecurity missions for Coast Guard field activities. These efforts are critical to securing the United States’ Marine Transportation System (MTS) against cybersecurity threat actors and the facilitation of commerce in the maritime industry. He has served with the Coast Guard in an Active Duty or Civilian capacity for more than 22 years now.
CDR Brandon Link, Deputy Chief, Office of Maritime Cybersecurity Compliance (CG-MCP), U.S. Coast Guard
Commander Link assumed the duties as Deputy Chief, Office of Maritime Cybersecurity Compliance (CG-MCP), at Coast Guard Headquarters, Washington DC in September 2025. CG-MCP safeguards the Marine Transportation System (MTS) from cybersecurity risks, threats, and vulnerabilities through the development of forward-leaning policies, guidance, and resources. CG-MCP works alongside interagency, industry, port, and international partners to strengthen maritime critical infrastructure, protect global supply chains, and ensure secure and reliable operations across the maritime domain. CG-MCP serves as the program manager for the Coast Guard’s Marine Transportation Security Specialist – Cyber positions.
Prior to these duties, Commander Link served as Chief of the Ports and Critical Infrastructure Division in the Office of Port and Facility Compliance, FAC-1, developing and implementing policies, guidance, and procedures for the safety and security of the nation’s MTS. His duties included oversight of the Coast Guard’s MTS Resiliency and Recovery mission, and Area Maritime Security Committees.
Commander Link was commissioned in 2003 upon graduating from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. After commissioning, his assignments include Deck Watch Officer on the 378’ cutter HAMILTON; Budget and Resource Manager in the Training Center Resource Management Office, Coast Guard Headquarters, CG-1323; Senior Command Duty Officer at Sector New York; Vessel and Facility Inspections at Marine Safety Unit Port Arthur, TX; and, Waterways Management Division Chief at Sector Los Angeles – Long Beach.
During his career, Commander Link has served eighteen years in marine safety assignments, including nine years in Headquarters policy positions. In this position, he serves as a Coast Guard representative in numerous interagency and industry stakeholder workgroups, committees, and interagency policy committees.