Staying ahead of deceptive shipping practices (DSPs) and global navigation satellite system (GNSS) manipulation isn’t just an operational advantage, it’s a necessity. With high stakes and complex challenges, businesses need cutting-edge solutions they can trust. Location (GNSS) manipulation is expanding rapidly, with an identifiable main geographic hub… Two New Patents Two newly approved patents for...
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Tackling Location (GNSS) Manipulation with Windward’s Patented Tech
What’s inside?
Staying ahead of deceptive shipping practices (DSPs) and global navigation satellite system (GNSS) manipulation isn’t just an operational advantage, it’s a necessity. With high stakes and complex challenges, businesses need cutting-edge solutions they can trust.
Location (GNSS) manipulation is expanding rapidly, with an identifiable main geographic hub…
Two New Patents
Two newly approved patents for Windward’s Location (GNSS) Manipulation Risk model set a new standard in maritime technology, reaffirming our commitment to innovation and solving real-world customer challenges.
What makes our technology groundbreaking? It’s the unmatched accuracy and expertise that set it apart. Windward’s patented solution can detect and identify different typologies and methods of location (GNSS) manipulation with a precision no other organization can match.
These patents represent more than technological advancements – they reflect our dedication to delivering reliability, trust, and solutions that continuously evolve to meet the industry’s needs.
From Simple to Complex: Detection Challenges
Windward has been detecting location (GNSS) manipulation incidents since its commercial emergence in 2021, by identifying recognized behavioral patterns, or typologies. Early cases were often crude and easy to spot – vessel movements were clearly fabricated, defying both physical possibility and logic (as seen in the image below).
These initial attempts at deception featured perfect geometrical shapes, sharp turns, and vessels sailing unrealistically against ocean currents. But, as location (GNSS) manipulation techniques included in official advisories became widely recognized, bad actors adapted swiftly, introducing more sophisticated tactics to evade detection and sanctions.
Today, patterns are complex. While behavioral typologies remain vital, advanced technology and domain expertise are now essential to uncover newer, subtler cases that don’t fit traditional patterns.
Examples of location (GNSS) manipulation – old and simple vs. new and complex. Source: Windward
Addressing this evolving challenge demands agile, cutting-edge technology capable of real-time adaptation. By leveraging deep learning and years of expertise, we can shift from reactive detection to proactive models that continuously learn and evolve. These models must integrate diverse data sources – such as AIS vendors and satellite imagery – to uncover nuanced patterns indicative of manipulation.
Why Accuracy Matters
Each manipulation case is unique, making it difficult for conventional systems to keep up. Identifying, analyzing, and interpreting these behaviors demands both advanced technology and deep industry knowledge.
When it comes to maritime risk, accuracy is everything. Windward’s Location (GNSS) Manipulation Risk model offers businesses the confidence they need to navigate these challenges effectively.
The Growing Threat of Location (GNSS) Manipulation
The scale of location (GNSS) manipulation is expanding rapidly, with over 3,300 unique cases involving nearly 1,000 vessels identified by Windward. The main hub is the Persian Gulf, where around 80% of the cases occur.
Bad actors employ location (GNSS) manipulation to mask illicit activities, such as:
Evading sanctions by disguising visits to restricted countries
Illegal smuggling, including commodities, weapons, or other contraband
Conducting surveillance and espionage near critical infrastructure
The sophistication of these tactics has also evolved. Early manipulations were easily identifiable, but today’s practices demand expert analysis and advanced tools to detect.
Looking to the Future
Windward’s two new patents mark an important step forward in addressing the growing challenges of location (GNSS) manipulation. Our patented model is a reflection of the innovation and industry expertise that goes into developing reliable and effective solutions.
As deceptive shipping practices evolve, businesses need solutions that adapt to new threats, while providing the confidence to act decisively. Windward’s Location (GNSS) Manipulation Risk model delivers on both fronts, offering technology that is not only advanced, but also independently validated.
By choosing a patented solution, you’re investing in proven reliability and forward-thinking innovation – ensuring your organization is equipped to navigate today’s challenges and tomorrow’s complexities with precision.
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