Muhammed Erbas explains how the autonomy of ships changes navigation and cyber-attacks
From oceangoing watchkeeping officer to researcher working to secure the future of autonomous ships, Muhammed Erbas combines hands-on maritime experience with advanced expertise in AI and cybersecurity. He is currently a PhD candidate at Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech) and a member of the MariCybERA Maritime Cybersecurity Research Group, where his research focuses on threat modeling, cyber-resilience, and risk assessment for next-generation maritime systems. In November 2025, he co-developed a maritime-focused cybersecurity exercise at the Faculty of Informatics, MU, as part of his Cyber-security Excellence Hub in Estonia and South Moravia (CHESS) project fellowship.
At the Faculty of Informatics of Masaryk University, students recently had the opportunity to meet Muhammed Erbas, a former oceangoing officer who has transitioned into research in maritime cybersecurity. Today, he is a PhD candidate at Tallinn University of Technology, where he focuses on the security of autonomous ships. His career path shows how practical experience at sea can connect naturally with research in modern technologies.
During his visit, Erbas spoke about how ships are becoming increasingly automated. Modern vessels already rely on digital systems for navigation, route planning, and monitoring onboard equipment. As automation grows, so do the risks. Cybersecurity is becoming a crucial part of maritime safety, as attacks on digital systems could potentially disrupt ship operations.
Erbas emphasized that his years at sea have strongly influenced his research. Real-life maritime experience helps him understand how systems function in demanding conditions and why reliability is essential. This practical insight allows him to approach cybersecurity not only as a technical problem, but also as a real-world safety issue.
As part of his collaboration with Masaryk University, Erbas also helped organize a maritime cybersecurity exercise for students. The hands-on workshop allowed participants to work with realistic scenarios and better understand how cyber threats can affect maritime operations. The event connected theory with practice and gave students valuable insight into this growing field.
(The cover photo: from left to right – Daniel Volf, Sandesh Kafle, and Muhammed Erbas at FI MU)
The complete interview is available at: https://www.fi.muni.cz/app/news?feed_id=1&archive=1&id=3995&lang=en