(THOMAS DISHAW) America’s supply chain is more vulnerable than ever. Imagine the chaotic scene that would erupt if American’s did not have access to essentials such as food, water, medicine, or gas. Occasional inclement weather threats are enough to disrupt day to day life, but what I am talking about would be far worse.

I am referring to a grid down situation, whether it be a EMP, cyber attack or false flag event, that could throw society into a tailspin. A catastrophe of this magnitude would mean most cell phone communication would come to a stop, cargo ships that cross the sea with imported products would not be able to rely on GPS. The computerized warehouse that supplies food for truckers who deliver to your grocery store would be inaccessible. The FedEx driver who drops off medicine to hospitals would not be able to fuel their vehicles. All these scenarios are much closer to reality than many think.

According to this CNBC report, experts are ringing the alarm on the real-time threat that the shipping industry is not prepared for a grid down situation in the supply chain.

The shipping industry is increasingly at risk from cybersecurity attacks and a gap in insurance policies is leaving them vulnerable, industry experts have told CNBC.

Cybersecurity has come into focus across the economy as hackers become more capable and society becomes more reliant on technology and energy. Ships, for example, rely on a range of electronic devices to operate. According to an email to CNBC, “This includes software to run the engines, complex cargo management systems, automatic identification systems (AIS), global positioning systems (GPS) and electronic chart displays and information systems (ECDIS),” explained Matthew Montgomery, senior associate at international law firm Holman Fenwick Willan……more here