Cybersecurity in smart port systems: A systematic review and data-driven research agenda

Zhao, Y, Gong, J, Li, H ORCID: 0000-0002-4293-4763, Nguyen, TT ORCID: 0000-0002-3268-1790, Matthews, C ORCID: 0000-0002-4126-6484 and Yang, Z ORCID: 0000-0003-1385-493X (2026) Cybersecurity in smart port systems: A systematic review and data-driven research agenda. Transport Policy, 187. p. 104268. ISSN 0967-070X

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Abstract

The digital transformation of the maritime industry is reshaping global supply chains, with smart ports emerging as critical hubs of increasingly interconnected cyber-physical operations. Technologies such as Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and blockchain have significantly enhanced operational efficiency, automation capability, and supply chain coordination. However, the growing integration of digital and physical infrastructures has also expanded cybersecurity vulnerabilities and increased exposure to cyber threats, including ransomware, phishing, and Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks, which may disrupt critical port operations and maritime logistics networks. Existing research on smart port cybersecurity remains fragmented and has paid limited attention to the interrelationship between port digitalisation, evolving cyber risks, and governance challenges. Accordingly, this study aims to systematically review the current state of the art in cybersecurity research within port environments through the integration of a systematic literature review conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocol, CiteSpace-based bibliometric visualisation analysis, and empirical analysis of real-world cyberattack data. The findings indicate that smart port digitalisation simultaneously enhances operational capability while expanding cyberattack surfaces, increasing cyber-physical interdependencies, and amplifying the operational consequences of cyber incidents. The analysis further identifies major challenges associated with digital infrastructure vulnerabilities, Cyber-Physical System (CPS) security, governance fragmentation, human factors, and emerging AI-driven threats. Based on these findings, the study outlines future research directions concerning technological optimisation, resilience engineering, governance coordination, and socio-technical integration. The study contributes to both theory and practice by providing a systematic understanding of cybersecurity risk evolution in smart port ecosystems and offering insights for the development of more resilient and adaptive maritime cybersecurity governance strategies.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Cybersecurity; Smart ports; Digital transformation; Port digitalisation; Maritime security; 3509 Transportation, Logistics and Supply Chains; 33 Built Environment and Design; 35 Commerce, Management, Tourism and Services; 3304 Urban and Regional Planning; Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence; Generic health relevance; 9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure; 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions; 1205 Urban and Regional Planning; 1507 Transportation and Freight Services; Logistics & Transportation; 3304 Urban and regional planning; 3509 Transportation, logistics and supply chains
Subjects:	T Technology > T Technology (General) V Naval Science > VM Naval architecture. Shipbuilding. Marine engineering
Divisions:	Engineering and Built Environment
Publisher:	Elsevier BV
Date of acceptance:	27 June 2026
Date of first compliant Open Access:	9 September 2026
Date Deposited:	09 Sep 2026 10:34
Last Modified:	09 Sep 2026 10:34
DOI or ID number:	10.1016/j.tranpol.2026.104268
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/29357

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