On capturing the right people – while protecting the business at the same time

The maritime industry is undergoing significant changes. The competition for skilled labor is increasing, the threat landscape is more complex than before, and security requirements are tightening. At the same time, businesses need to recruit, develop, and retain employees who manage assets, technology, and critical infrastructure. This poses new challenges for how personnel security is handled.

Therefore, GCE Blue Maritime Cluster, in collaboration with Advansia and the Center for Personnel Security, is hosting a seminar that provides leaders, HR, and security managers with practical tools to manage insider risk.

— We see that personnel security has become a strategic part of risk management in maritime businesses. This course is an opportunity to raise competence across the cluster, so we stand stronger together, says Pierre Major, Cluster Manager at GCE Blue Maritime.

The course covers everything from recruitment and onboarding to daily security management and offboarding. The goal is to provide participants with confidence in what assessments they should make, how risks can be identified early, and how to build an organization that is resilient to insider threats.

Also read: Advansia joins the GCE Blue Maritime Cluster

A Labor Market Under Pressure

The maritime sector needs a wide range of roles, from skilled workers and seafarers to engineers, project managers, and leaders. At the same time, access to labor is one of the industry's biggest challenges going forward.

— There is already a shortage of qualified labor, and over ten thousand seafarers are approaching retirement. At the same time, the civilian maritime sector competes with the Armed Forces for the same talent. This makes the battle for expertise both tougher and more vulnerable, says Finn Børre Holen from Advansia.

Additionally, the industry relies heavily on specialized foreign labor, and digitalization and automation are increasing the need for expertise that the Norwegian labor market cannot cover alone.

— When employees move quickly between companies, and when we recruit critical expertise from around the world, we must have strong systems that ensure we know who we are letting into our organizations, Holen adds.

Sign up for the seminar and the digital course on insider risk and security in hiring here

A Threat Landscape That Affects Everyone

Both the PST and the National Security Authority reports identify insider threats as particularly relevant challenges. The examples are no longer hypothetical but concrete cases from both Norway and Europe that show how vulnerable organizations can be.

— Insider risk is not about mistrust of employees, but about protecting them, safeguarding our values, and ensuring that we can deliver on critical societal tasks. It requires structure, knowledge, and good practices, says Holen.

The Strength of the Cluster, A Collective Effort

GCE Blue Maritime sees the course as part of a broader effort to build shared competence and increase confidence across the cluster.

— We have a culture of sharing experiences and solving challenges together. This course builds on that tradition and prepares us better to meet a reality where threats are more complex and more targeted than ever, says Major.

The Course Provides Participants With:

• Insight into today’s threat landscape 

• Tools for safer recruitment and onboarding 

• Practical methods for daily security management 

• Good routines for offboarding and access control 

• Professional guidance from Advansia, Lørn, and Kluge Law Firm • Opportunities to discuss experiences with other maritime stakeholders

English: 

How to Secure the Right People – While Protecting Your Organization

Personnel security has become a competitive advantage. Today, the race for talent runs parallel with a tightening threat landscape, making it vital for maritime companies to strengthen their defenses.

The maritime industry is undergoing rapid change. Competition for skilled workers is growing, security requirements are increasing, and organizations must recruit, develop, and retain people who operate assets, technology, and critical infrastructure. This demands a more structured approach to personnel security.

GCE Blue Maritime Cluster, together with Advansia and the Centre for Personnel Security, is therefore hosting a seminar designed to give leaders, HR professionals, and security managers practical tools to handle insider risk.

— Personnel security is now a strategic part of risk management in maritime companies. This course is an opportunity to raise competence across the cluster and stand stronger together, says Pierre Major, Cluster Manager at GCE Blue Maritime.

The programme spans the full employee journey — from recruitment and onboarding to daily security routines and offboarding. Participants will gain confidence in assessing risk early and building organizations that are resilient to insider threats.

A Labour Market Under Pressure

The maritime sector relies on a wide range of roles, from seafarers and skilled workers to engineers and leaders. Yet access to qualified labor is tightening.

— We already face a shortage of skilled workers, and more than ten thousand seafarers are nearing retirement. At the same time, the civilian maritime sector competes with the Armed Forces for the same talent. This makes the situation both tougher and more vulnerable, says Finn Børre Holen of Advansia.

The industry also depends heavily on specialized foreign labor, while digitalization and autonomy increase the need for expertise that the Norwegian workforce cannot supply alone.

— When employees move quickly between companies, and when we rely on critical competence from around the world, we must have systems that ensure we know who we are bringing into our organizations, Holen adds.

A Growing and Relevant Threat

Norway’s security agencies highlight insider risk as a particularly relevant challenge. Recent cases from Norway and Europe show how vulnerable organizations can be.

— Insider risk is not about mistrusting employees, but about protecting them, safeguarding our values, and ensuring we can carry out our responsibilities. It requires structure, knowledge, and good practices, Holen says.

Strengthening the Cluster Together

For GCE Blue Maritime, the course is part of a broader effort to build shared competence and strengthen preparedness.

— We have a strong culture of sharing and solving challenges together. This course builds on that tradition and helps us face a reality where threats are more complex and more targeted, says Major.

Participants will gain:

• Insight into today’s threat landscape
• Tools for safer recruitment and onboarding
• Practical methods for daily security management
• Good routines for offboarding and access control
• Professional guidance from Advansia, Lørn, and Kluge
• Opportunities to share experiences with other maritime companies