New Biden administration cybersecurity standards for U.S. maritime ports mark a crucial step toward addressing long-ignored vulnerabilities in IT and OT systems across the critical infrastructure sector, experts told Information Security Media Group.

An executive order released Wednesday institutes mandatory requirements to report cyber incidents that could endanger “any vessel, harbor, port or waterfront facility.” The U.S. Coast Guard also issued a notice of proposed rule-making to establish minimum cybersecurity requirements for the maritime industry (see: Biden to Sign Executive Order Raising Maritime Cybersecurity).