A Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular (NVIC) is a U.S. Coast Guard document that explains maritime safety or security expectations. It may clarify existing regulations or offer guidance on how operators can meet them; an NVIC is not automatically a regulation or a new legal requirement.
In cybersecurity, an NVIC can help vessel and facility teams understand how expectations apply to information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT), including risk assessments and security planning. Teams should check which regulations a circular cites and distinguish mandatory obligations from recommendations. Practical defenses include inventorying IT and OT assets, mapping connections and operational dependencies, segmenting networks, and documenting risks and remediation.