Does the Coast Guard cyber rule apply to us?▼
It applies to U.S.-flagged vessels, Outer Continental Shelf facilities and facilities that are already required to have security plans under the MTSA regulations in 33 CFR Parts 104, 105 and 106. If you have a vessel or facility security plan today, you should assume the cyber rule is relevant and confirm details with your security officer or counsel. Foreign-flagged vessels and companies outside those categories may still face cyber expectations through IMO guidance, charterers and insurers.
Will you touch our bridge or engine systems?▼
Not inside them. Navigation, propulsion, cargo control and similar systems belong to the manufacturer or a class-approved integrator, and unapproved changes can create safety and warranty problems. What we do is secure the IT side and the boundary: firewall rules between zones, controlled vendor remote access, media scanning, and monitoring at the edge. When something inside an operational system needs to change, we coordinate with the OEM and document it.
How do you patch and monitor ships with limited bandwidth?▼
We schedule updates for low-cost, stable windows, cache patches on an onboard server where it makes sense, and prioritize critical fixes over feature updates. Monitoring agents are configured to send lightweight status data instead of full logs over expensive links. When a vessel reaches port or cellular coverage, larger updates catch up automatically. The result is a fleet that stays reasonably current without blowing through the satellite budget or competing with crew welfare traffic.
What does a Cybersecurity Officer need from an IT provider?▼
Mostly evidence and execution. The CySO is accountable for the plan, but rarely has time to build asset inventories, review accounts, run vulnerability scans or track training completion across vessels. We do that work and hand back organized records. We also help draft incident procedures, run drills and make sure the steps for reporting incidents to the National Response Center are written down and understood by the people who’d actually make the call.
Can you help with bunker and charter payment fraud?▼
Yes. These scams usually start with a compromised mailbox, yours or a counterparty’s, followed by a fake invoice or revised payment instructions. We secure your mail tenant, flag lookalike domains, alert on suspicious sign-ins and inbox rules, and help finance write a rule that every bank change gets verified by phone using known contact details. That procedural step catches the cases where the counterparty was the one compromised, which no filter on your side can see.
Do you support operators outside major port cities?▼
Yes. Shore office IT, vessel connectivity monitoring, email security and documentation work all happen remotely, so we support operators at ports, river terminals and offshore bases across the country. When a vessel or facility needs hands-on work, such as installing a firewall or cabling a new network zone, our engineers handle it locally near our offices or direct a vetted local technician while guiding the work remotely and recording the change for your plan.
Do you provide Maritime & Shipping Companies IT Services in Houston and nearby areas?▼
Yes. LayerLogix is based in the Greater Houston area and delivers maritime & shipping companies IT services to businesses across Houston and the surrounding communities, including The Woodlands, Spring, Katy, Sugar Land, Conroe, Cypress, and Pearland. For most Houston-area clients we can be on-site the same day when something needs hands-on attention, and our help desk is available during business hours, with after-hours emergency support. Call 713-571-2390 to check coverage for your specific address.
What does Maritime & Shipping Companies IT Services cost for a Houston business?▼
Pricing depends on your size and what you need, so we do not publish a one-size-fits-all number — but Houston businesses generally pay a flat, predictable monthly fee rather than surprise hourly bills. We start with a free, no-obligation assessment of your current setup, then give you a clear quote in plain English with no hidden costs. That way you know exactly what you are getting and what it costs before you commit.