Security and Liability Challenges in Implementing Smart Ports in Korea: An Analytical Modeling Approach

초록

Purpose-As ports are becoming smart ports to enhance operational efficiency, reduce costs, and improve service reliability, new challenges arise-particularly in assigning liability and facilitating data sharing amid cybersecurity vulnerabilities. This study models the strategic interactions of smart ports and shipping firms under these emerging conditions. Design/Methodology-We develop a game-theoretic model in which a monopolistic smart port interacts with heterogeneous shipping companies. Each firm chooses one of three strategies: adopting smart shipping with data-sharing, maintaining conventional operations, or exiting the market. The model incorporates key variables such as liability assignment, security risk, and data-sharing level, to analyze their influence on firm behavior and port profitability. Findings-The results indicate that when security vulnerability is low, increasing liability enhances port profitability. However, under high security risk, increased liability discourages participation and reduces profits. The optimal level of data-sharing rises with both the system benefit and the baseline value of port usage, revealing a nonlinear relationship between cybersecurity risk and incentive design. Originality/value-Unlike prior literature that emphasizes descriptive metrics or infrastructural readiness, this study presents a formal analytical model that captures economic and behavioral dynamics of smart port ecosystem. The findings provide actionable insights for policymakers and port authorities seeking to balance innovation with institutional and regulatory constraints in smart port development.

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