In a bold stride toward the future, Navelink unveiled its ambitious SECOM Hotel initiative during our Developer forum of October. Our SECOM Hotel is poised for a preliminary release in the first quarter of 2024. This announcement marks not only a milestone but a testament to our unwavering commitment to driving innovation within the maritime sector.
A Customer-Centric Vision: Redefining Maritime Connectivity
At the heart of the SECOM Hotel initiative is a clear and customer-centric mission: the delivery of REST Services aligned with the esteemed IEC standard 63173-2 SECOM. Navelink, in its role as a trusted host, takes on the responsibility of managing these services on behalf of our valued customers. This private REST service, woven into the fabric of the SECOM ecosystem, emerges as the backbone facilitating seamless interaction between our customers’ applications and the broader maritime landscape. Concurrently, Navelink’s commitment to inclusivity shines through as we open the gateway to a broader audience, simultaneously presenting a robust SECOM Public REST service. This not only expands our outreach but also invites other stakeholders keen on harnessing the power of SECOM to join us on this transformative journey in maritime connectivity.
What is SECOM?
Elevating Maritime Communication Security:
In the intricate realm of maritime navigation and radiocommunication, the International Electrotechnical Commission’s standard IEC 63173-2 has given rise to a critical component known as Secure Exchange and Communication of S-100 based Products, or simply SECOM. Positioned as Part 2 of the broader standard, SECOM is designed to fortify the exchange of maritime data, ensuring not only its secure transmission but also the integrity and confidentiality of the information.
Key Components of SECOM:
Scope and Interfaces:
- SECOM defines interfaces (APIs) facilitating the exchange of data, commonly termed as information services.
- These interfaces enable seamless data exchange while incorporating robust security measures, creating a framework for secure communication.
- SECOM provides technical interoperability, emphasizing a standardized service interface regardless of the operational context.
Service Agnosticism and Applicability:
- Although tailored for S-100 based products, SECOM displays a payload-agnostic nature, making it versatile and applicable to various data types.
- Operating on IP communication, SECOM is designed to be service provider agnostic, ensuring flexibility in its implementation across diverse maritime scenarios.
Information Service Interface:
- SECOM’s Information Service Interface is manifested through two key service interfaces: Upload and Get.
- The Upload interface empowers data producers to push information to consumers, while the Get interface enables consumers to pull data from the producer.
- A supplementary Get Summary interface provides a concise overview of available data.
Secure Communication Channel:
- Security is paramount in maritime communication, and SECOM achieves this through the encryption of channels using Transport Layer Security (TLS).
- Authentication of services is based on X.509 Certificates, ensuring the legitimacy of communication endpoints.
Data Protection:
- SECOM’s Data Protection strategy involves the implementation of digital signatures on exchanged data, facilitating end-to-end authentication.
- The protocol supports compression techniques for data, with specific details provided in individual S-100 based Product Specifications.
- Consistency is maintained as SECOM aligns with the technology stipulated in S-100 Part 15-8 for Data Authentication, ensuring uniformity across the maritime data landscape.
In essence, SECOM emerges as a sophisticated framework, embodying a meticulous blend of standardized interfaces, secure communication channels, and data protection mechanisms. It stands as a testament to the maritime industry’s commitment to advancing secure, interoperable, and resilient communication systems that are pivotal for the safety and efficiency of maritime operations.
Author: Milena Dalinaros