NorthStandard Partnered with SGM for Ship Navigation Security
The partnership aims to secure commercial maritime traffic against GNSS interference by integrating authentication tools.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Cybersecurity
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NorthStandard has partnered with SGM Technology to offer members access to the PntGuard platform, a tool designed to authenticate ship position signals in real time. This deployment aims to mitigate the growing risks associated with GNSS jamming and spoofing in the shipping industry.
Why it matters
GNSS interference frequently disrupts commercial shipping and creates significant safety, compliance, and claims risks for vessel operators. By adding PntGuard to its GetSET! technology portfolio, NorthStandard seeks to provide an independent navigational safeguard against signal manipulation.
PntGuard leverages the Iridium PNT (Positioning, Navigation, and Timing) satellite service to deliver independent position data, comparing this against a ship's GNSS feed to detect potential spoofing or jamming.
The players
NorthStandard
A major marine insurer providing risk management and safety technology services to the global shipping industry.
SGM Technology
A developer of maritime security and navigational authentication platforms.
Naltec
A developer of APNT technology solutions for secure maritime positioning.
The details
The platform functions by cross-referencing a vessel's standard GNSS signal with a fully authenticated data stream from the Iridium satellite network to identify discrepancies in real time. If the system detects signal manipulation, it triggers visual and audible alerts to the bridge crew. The underlying APNT (Assured Positioning, Navigation, and Timing) technology provided by Naltec has been utilized in commercial environments for over a decade to establish signal integrity.
Timeline
Naltec's APNT technology has been utilized for over 10 years.
The partnership was formally announced on September 23, 2026.
The Tech Race
The adoption of Iridium PNT-based authentication marks a transition from relying solely on GNSS to implementing multi-source redundancy for maritime safety. It sits alongside broader industry efforts to build maritime navigational systems capable of maintaining accurate positioning despite the proliferation of low-cost jamming equipment.
Commercial operators now have a direct pathway to implement Iridium-backed navigation security through the NorthStandard GetSET! portfolio. The discount structure immediately reduces the cost of entry for members looking to add PntGuard as a secondary, independent verification layer to their existing bridge systems.
The takeaway
The move underscores the shift toward authenticated, redundant position data as a standard requirement for maritime risk mitigation. Vessel operators should monitor updates to the GetSET! portfolio to track which additional signal-security tools will be integrated into the program moving forward.
Further reading
For more on the industry-wide effort to secure navigational data, see Cybersecurity.
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Do you believe businesses should invest in independent backup systems to counter potential digital navigation interference?
