Ronald Spithout, the former maritime president of Inmarsat who was pushed out during the maritime satellite group’s takeover by US giant Viasat, has joined shipping cyber security company CyberOwl’s board as a strategic advisor.
Spithout, who led Inmarsat from 2014 to mid-2021 and who oversaw long-term plans to add terrestrial 5G mobile coverage and low earth orbit satellites to its network in his final year will help CyberOwl scale up its business and enhance technology.
CyberOwl is looking to accelerate expansion across the UK, Middle East and Asia Pacific after raising $5m in funding last September. It is expanding strategic alliances with local partners and building the breadth and depth of its service capability.
Chief executive Daniel Ng said UK-based CyberOwl is at a pivotal stage of its growth trajectory.
“We are serious in our mission to raise the tide of cyber risk management for the whole sector across the globe. This is where Ronald’s years of experience, and passion for maritime digitalisation can add significant value,” he said.
Currently, Spithout is chief executive at MariDISC, an organisation which provides advisory services in the field of mobile satellite communications and maritime digital initiatives for sustainability and crew welfare.
As maritime president at Immarsat he had global responsibility for growth, strategic direction and partnerships.
CyberOwl said it has experienced significant growth since launching Medulla, a maritime cybersecurity monitoring and analytics solution for shipping systems, in 2019. It is currently used on about 2,000 vessels.
Spithout said driving sustainability through digitalisation at sea and the provision of consistent internet access for crew have been close to his heart for some years, but both can only be safely accomplished through robust cyber risk management.
“This is often still a struggle for shipping companies lacking specialist technology, resources and talent,” he said.
“CyberOwl has the unique potential to be a true market leader and I’m excited to help the team fulfil this potential,” he added.
CyberOwl was built on research that started its life at the Defence Academy of the UK and completed at Coventry University.
