Professional Diploma in International Port Security Regulations
This professional diploma offers an in-depth look at the regulatory frameworks that govern security in ports worldwide. It is designed for professionals who need a thorough knowledge of IMO instruments, the ISPS Code and other key regulations in order to ensure safe and efficient port operations. You will learn to interpret and apply these rules in real contexts, improving risk management and emergency response.
Prior knowledge check
These are the skills this program gives you. Tick the ones you already master and we will tell you which part of the syllabus is for you.
You are starting from scratch in this subject. The program is designed precisely for that.
What is the Professional Diploma in International Port Security Regulations?
This professional diploma prepares you to turn international port security requirements into verifiable practice. You will learn the difference between safety and security in ports, the main threats facing port facilities and the stakeholders responsible for them, how the ISPS Code and SOLAS shape security levels, port facility security assessments and plans and the roles of the port facility, ship and company security officers, how access control, surveillance and restricted areas are organized, how cargo, containers and dangerous goods are protected against illicit activity, how IT and OT systems in ports are defended against cyber threats, and how emergencies, drills, audits, non-conformities and performance indicators are managed.
What sets this professional diploma apart: an integrated approach that brings together physical security, cargo security, cybersecurity and business continuity in a single management system; a strong focus on implementation, from the port facility security plan to records and drills; practical coverage of audits, inspections and corrective actions; attention to coordination between port authorities, terminals, customs, shipping lines and law enforcement; an in-depth structure of eight modules; and a final project in which you design a complete security system for a real or simulated port facility.
Program highlights
- Port security fundamentals: safety versus security, threats, stakeholders and systemic security management.
- ISPS Code and SOLAS: security levels, port facility security plans, Declarations of Security and officer roles.
- Access control and surveillance: credentials, restricted areas, CCTV, patrols, screening and incident handling.
- Cargo and supply chain security: documentation, container screening, dangerous goods and illicit trafficking.
- Port cybersecurity: IT and OT systems, ransomware, network segmentation and operational resilience.
- Final project: a port facility security assessment and plan with audits, drills, training and indicators.
Syllabus of the Professional Diploma in International Port Security Regulations
8 modules. Select a module to see its content.
Fundamentals of port security, maritime security and international governance of port facilities
- 1.1. The concept of port security and the differences between safety, security, physical protection, operational prevention and regulatory control
- 1.2. The strategic role of ports in international trade, logistics, the blue economy and national security
- 1.3. Main risks in port facilities: unauthorised access, terrorism, sabotage, theft, smuggling, fire and cyber threats
- 1.4. Stakeholders involved: port authority, terminals, shipping lines, operators, customs, police, coastguard, inspectors and international organizations
- 1.5. The relationship between port security, business continuity, foreign trade, reputation, compliance and crisis management
- 1.6. Principles of prevention, deterrence, detection, response, recovery and continuous improvement in port environments
- 1.7. Differences between international regulations, national legislation, internal procedures, private standards and good operating practice
- 1.8. A systemic approach to port security integrating people, infrastructure, ships, cargo, technology and governance
The ISPS Code, SOLAS and the international framework for the security of ships and port facilities
- 2.1. Fundamentals of the ISPS Code and its relationship with international maritime security
- 2.2. The SOLAS Convention and the requirements linked to the safety and security of ships and port facilities
- 2.3. Security levels, mandatory measures, threat assessment and adjusting procedures according to risk
- 2.4. The port facility security plan: structure, content, approval, review and updating
- 2.5. Roles of the port facility security officer, the ship security officer and the company security officer
- 2.6. The Declaration of Security, ship-port coordination and shared responsibilities during the port call
- 2.7. Audits, exercises, drills, records, inspections and verification of ISPS compliance
- 2.8. Building security systems aligned with SOLAS, the ISPS Code and international maritime security requirements
Access control, surveillance, physical protection and management of restricted port areas
- 3.1. Fundamentals of access control in ports, terminals, quays, warehouses, yards and critical operational areas
- 3.2. Identification, authorization, credentials, temporary permits, visitors, suppliers, crews and external personnel
- 3.3. Restricted areas, perimeters, fencing, barriers, gates, checkpoints and segregation of sensitive areas
- 3.4. Surveillance systems: CCTV, patrols, lighting, sensors, alarms, drones, rounds and control centers
- 3.5. Screening of vehicles, people, baggage, stores, goods and access to ships or terminals
- 3.6. Managing incidents of intrusion, suspicious behavior, lost credentials, improper access and security breaches
- 3.7. Coordination between private security, the port authority, law enforcement, operators and terminal managers
- 3.8. Building physical protection models that reduce vulnerabilities without hindering the port's operational efficiency
Cargo security, the logistics chain, dangerous goods and prevention of illicit activities
- 4.1. Fundamentals of cargo security and traceability in international maritime logistics chains
- 4.2. Document control, manifests, bills of lading, declarations, seals, containers and intermodal transport units
- 4.3. Container security, non-intrusive inspection, scanners, seals, risk profiling and anomaly detection
- 4.4. Dangerous goods: segregation, labeling, storage, handling and response to incidents involving hazardous materials
- 4.5. Preventing smuggling, illicit trafficking, cargo theft, fraudulent tampering, stowaways and deliberate contamination of goods
- 4.6. Coordination between customs, terminals, shipping lines, freight forwarders, agents, health authorities and law enforcement
- 4.7. Trusted operator programs, supply chain security, logistics compliance and international cooperation
- 4.8. Building cargo security procedures that protect trade, people, infrastructure and logistics continuity
Port cybersecurity, digital systems, surveillance technologies and operational resilience
- 5.1. Fundamentals of port cybersecurity and the risks associated with IT, OT, TOS and PCS systems, networks, sensors and digital platforms
- 5.2. Cyber threats: ransomware, intrusion, data manipulation, operational disruption, information theft and document fraud
- 5.3. Protecting critical systems: access control, cranes, communications, power, surveillance, automation and terminal management
- 5.4. Network segmentation, user control, authentication, backups, patching, monitoring and incident response
- 5.5. Integrating technologies: smart cameras, video analytics, biometrics, drones, IoT, perimeter sensors and alert platforms
- 5.6. Business continuity, contingency plans, disaster recovery and resilience against technology failures
- 5.7. Data governance, confidentiality, protection of sensitive information and coordination with authorities in digital incidents
- 5.8. Building port cyber-resilience strategies integrated with physical and operational security
Emergency management, contingency plans, audits and international compliance in ports
- 6.1. Fundamentals of port emergency management and the relationship between security, operational safety, response and recovery
- 6.2. Critical scenarios: fire, explosion, spill, terrorist threat, sabotage, intrusion, dangerous cargo accident and cyber crisis
- 6.3. Emergency plans, security plans, evacuation, shelter-in-place, communications, command centers and inter-agency coordination
- 6.4. Drills, exercises, training, performance evaluation, lessons learned and improvement of protocols
- 6.5. Internal audits, external audits, regulatory inspections, non-conformities, evidence and corrective actions
- 6.6. Port security indicators: incidents, response times, unauthorised access, equipment failures and documentary compliance
- 6.7. Preparing for inspections, certification, plan reviews, mandatory records and traceability of compliance
- 6.8. Building management systems that turn international regulations into verifiable port practices
Training, exercises, audits and continuous improvement of port security
- 7.1. Training requirements for the port facility security officer (PFSO)
- 7.2. Training of personnel with security duties
- 7.3. Drills and exercises under the ISPS Code
- 7.4. Internal audits and verifications by the Administration
- 7.5. Managing non-conformities and corrective actions
- 7.6. Port security performance indicators
- 7.7. Updating the security plan after incidents
- 7.8. Review of the security management system
Final Project
- 8.1. Defining the case study: a commercial port, container terminal, multipurpose terminal, leisure port, marina or critical facility
- 8.2. Diagnosing threats, vulnerabilities, critical assets, operations, stakeholders and applicable regulatory requirements
- 8.3. Designing the port facility security assessment with risk levels, sensitive areas, existing controls and compliance gaps
- 8.4. Drawing up the security plan with measures for access, surveillance, cargo, cybersecurity, coordination and incident response
- 8.5. Developing procedures for audits, drills, training, records, indicators and continuous improvement
- 8.6. Integrating physical security, document security, cargo protection, cybersecurity and business continuity
- 8.7. Writing the technical report with the regulatory, operational, technological and preventive justification of the proposed system
- 8.8. Presentation and defense of the final project with overall validation of the international port security model developed
Duration and format of the Professional Diploma in International Port Security Regulations
It is 800 hours. Tell us how many you can study each week and we will tell you when you will really finish.
This is the pace at which most students finish. It fits well with the installment plan.
Academic leadership and faculty
The Navalis teaching team: working professionals who teach and supervise the programs.
Dr. Marina AlcoverAcademic Director and Head of Quality Assurance
Eng. Diego CifuentesSenior Lecturer in Naval Welding and Non-Destructive Testing; Head of QA/QC for Welded Joints
Capt. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Senior Lecturer in Ship Handling, Electronic Navigation (ECDIS/Radar/ARPA) and GMDSS; STCW Compliance and Bridge Resource Management Coordinator
Dr. Pau FerrerSenior Lecturer in Naval Architecture and Simulation; Director of the Hydrodynamics and CFD Laboratory
Dr. Nuria LlobregatSenior Lecturer in Marine Meteorology, SAR and Operational Safety; Navigation Risk Management Coordinator
Eng. Javier BañulsSenior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, Automation and ETO Engineering; Electronic Integration and Engine Alarms Coordinator
Eng. Sofía MarquinaSenior Lecturer in Materials, Composites and Corrosion Protection; Coordinator of the Advanced Paints and Coatings Line
Eng. Tomás RieraSenior Lecturer in Propulsion, Alternative Energy and Hybrid Systems; Energy Performance and Vibration CoordinatorObjectives of the Professional Diploma in International Port Security Regulations
Career opportunities after the Professional Diploma in International Port Security Regulations
Questions about the Professional Diploma in International Port Security Regulations
To protect ports, ships, people and cargo from security threats such as terrorism, sabotage, smuggling and unauthorised access, through common rules applied by governments, port facilities and shipping companies.
The port and maritime sector: port authorities, terminals, shipping lines, logistics operators, security companies and consultancies that work with port facilities.
Yes. A full module is devoted to the ISPS Code and SOLAS, including security levels, port facility security assessments and plans, the roles of security officers, Declarations of Security, drills and verification of compliance.
Navalis Institute teaches the content related to the PFSO role and its training requirements, but formal recognition as a port facility security officer depends on the requirements set by the competent national authority.
Yes. One module covers threats to IT and OT systems in ports, such as ransomware and data manipulation, and measures such as network segmentation, authentication, backups, monitoring and incident response.
You choose a port facility, such as a container terminal or marina, assess its threats and vulnerabilities and design its security plan with access, surveillance, cargo, cyber and emergency measures, audits, drills and indicators.
Fully online, through a virtual campus available 24/7, with practical case studies, recorded live sessions and tutorials with the teaching staff.
The professional diploma comprises 800 hours of study across 8 modules of 100 hours each and ends with a final project. You can progress at your own pace within the schedule set when you enroll.
More programs in Ports and marinas
Admission process
No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enroll in the same session.
- Profile: aimed at port security managers and supervisors, compliance officers and auditors, port administrators and planners, maritime and logistics professionals, and consultants specializing in port security; a degree in law, maritime administration, engineering or a related field, or professional experience in port security, customs or control functions, is recommended, together with some understanding of IMO and ILO conventions, the ISPS Code and risk management.
- Language: sufficient command of English to follow the classes and the technical documentation.
- Technical resources: a computer with a stable internet connection, an up-to-date browser and a camera and microphone for live sessions and the project presentation.
- Admission: online application, review of your profile and a short interview with the academic team.
- 01ApplicationYour details, background and documents.
- 02Instant reviewWe check that everything is complete and in order.
- 03EnrollmentChoose full payment or instalments and reserve your place.
Admission is provisional until the committee validates the documents provided. If you do not meet the requirements, the full amount is refunded.
Ask us before you enroll
Leave your details and admissions will write to you to answer any questions. If you are already sure, you can apply and pay in the same session.