Foreword (Harding)
I am very honored and humbled to be asked to write the foreword for the eleventh book in a series authored by Randall Nichols and his KSU Wildcat Team. Maritime Transportation Systems continues the series’ valuable work of looking at how technology is shaping our world for better and for worse. Leading that effort is Nichols, the managing editor and co-author for the series. After retiring as a professor of cybersecurity at Utica College, Nichols brought his expertise to Kansas State University, Salina, where he shifted his focus toward the security of unmanned aircraft systems. He came to understand early on that although cyber-physical systems have huge potential, they also present formidable risks. This awareness led him to bring together a team of authors to study the emerging benefits and risks of unmanned systems, eventually broadening their research to other game-changing technologies, always keeping national security in mind. Looking back, it is remarkable to see how well these books have foreseen technological impacts. With this newest book, the team now turns its attention to the critical maritime domain.
Maritime security is more urgent and complicated than ever. For centuries, the oceans have been vital to global commerce and military power. In the twenty-first century, however, the threats have multiplied. Beyond storms, piracy, and territorial disputes, the maritime world now faces cyberattacks, unmanned and autonomous systems, undersea infrastructure sabotage, and the intricate interdependence of critical infrastructures.
This book offers a timely analysis of those challenges. Nichols, Beckman, Carter, DeMaio, Diebold, Ghaffari, Lonstein, Malhotra, Mumm, Murthy, Puntoriero, and Sharkey draw on decades of professional expertise, academic research, and practical experience to present the maritime transportation system as a true “system of systems” that sustains global trade, defense, and economic stability. Their perspective extends beyond typical definitions of cybersecurity to encompass physical, informational, technological, and geopolitical risks.
Central to this work is the emphasis on risk assessment as the foundation of maritime security. Threats, vulnerabilities, and countermeasures are grounded in real-world systems: ships, ports, communication cables, drones, and offshore platforms that shape the daily lives of millions. The blend of theory and practice makes the analysis both rigorous and relevant.
Readers will find a mix of breadth and depth: chapters ranging from global undersea communication cables to the strategic defense of Guam, from port security law to the risks of autonomous unmanned systems, from anti-piracy measures to quantum technologies for resilience. This diversity of topics reflects the complexity of today’s maritime environment, but also points to the opportunities for innovation, cooperation, and preparedness.
For students, policymakers, naval professionals, and security practitioners, this book is more than a reference. It is a call to awareness and action. The maritime world is connected, complex, and increasingly fragile. Safeguarding it demands not only resources and technology, but also vision, collaboration, and resilience.
As Nichols approaches his second retirement after nearly a sixty-year career, he leaves behind a legacy of scholarship and tireless service in defense of our institutions, our nation, and our allies. If this ends up being the last book in the series, Nichols and his team of authors can be proud of their capstone effort. It is a meeting of passion, insight, and dedication.
May this book serve as both a guide and a challenge as we navigate the uncertain waters ahead.
Troy Harding
Department Head and Professor
Integrated Studies
Kansas State University Salina
