For a company operating in the high-stakes world of marine geophysical exploration, cybersecurity isn’t just about protecting data – it’s about ensuring uninterrupted operations across a fleet of vessels that function as floating networks and a workforce distributed across multiple continents. With offices in the UAE, Sweden, Norway, the US, Brazil, and France and crews deployed for weeks at sea, maintaining visibility into potential threats is both complex and critical.

Guarding against human nature at sea

Working offshore for extended durations can lead to broader internet use outside standard protocols. Without appropriate security controls, this can unintentionally create vulnerabilities within critical onboard systems. Effective cybersecurity controls are crucial for maintaining the integrity of ship systems throughout complex, multi-month projects, particularly in isolated marine environments.

Log overload complicates threat detection

With petabytes of seismic data collected from PXGEO’s geophysical projects, manually combing through thousands of log files was unsustainable for the IT team. The team needed a smarter approach that could surface the anomalies that matter without overwhelming analysts.

Business disruption is the “worst-case scenario”

While data protection is important, Erik Ruis, Global Head of IT at PXGEO, says, “In our industry, operational disruption is the worst-case scenario. A single malware infection, ransomware attack, or misconfigured download could shut down a system and derail an entire project.”

As PXGEO reevaluated its cybersecurity strategy, it sought:

• A long-term partner to support business expansion, protect global operations, and empower a lean IT team
• A platform with AI-driven threat detection and autonomous response

As the company evaluated various vendors, Ruis said Darktrace quickly stood apart. “The Darktrace team was terrific. In addition to the platform’s capabilities, their communication and attention to detail gave me the confidence to move forward.” Today, PXGEO is using the Darktrace ActiveAI Security Platform™ as a core part of its defense strategy, including:

• Darktrace / CLOUD™
• Darktrace / ENDPOINT™
• Darktrace / IDENTITY™
• Darktrace / NETWORK™
• Darktrace Cyber AI Analyst™

Autonomous detection and response

PXGEO runs Darktrace / NETWORK in fully autonomous mode 12 hours a day, automating most of their detection, investigation, and response workflows without human intervention. PXGEO’s trust in Darktrace to act autonomously enables Ruis’s team to free up their time and focus on higher-priority investigations. “Darktrace doesn’t flood us with constant alerts. It takes action on its own and brings us in when human input is truly needed.” The rollout remains cautious by design, with plans to move toward full, 24/7 coverage.

Adding cloud and managed services for a layered defense

PXGEO is using Darktrace / CLOUD, which has proven especially valuable for the R&D team in Sweden, which works extensively with Kubernetes and Azure. “Darktrace / CLOUD helps us expose gaps, apply best practices, and focus our resources more effectively.” The Darktrace Managed Detection and Response service is a key part of PXGEO’s defense strategy, providing expert monitoring and faster response – critical for a lean team supporting 24/7 global operations.

“AI – the only way forward”

PXGEO understands the power of AI to analyze vast datasets and detect behaviors humans might miss, making it a priority from the outset. “For me, AI was the only way forward,” said Ruis. While most operations occur in international waters – beyond the reach of US or EU regulations – PXGEO still takes a thoughtful approach to AI and security governance. “We use Darktrace’s AI for good, giving people access while keeping the company safe.”

Visibility and control are “a massive advantage”

A powerful aspect of Darktrace, said Ruis, is its unified visibility across PXGEO’s global environment – from ships at sea to the R&D teams in Sweden to offices in Dubai, Houston, and beyond. “Having a single pane of glass to monitor everything is a massive advantage. Even when a boat is in the middle of the ocean, we’re getting real-time visibility and alerts. Darktrace allows us to scale quickly while keeping control.”  

Proactive, always-on security delivers confidence and peace of mind

Darktrace’s Self-Learning AI and Managed Detection and Response service have transformed the company’s approach from reactive firefighting to proactive, continuous protection. The IT team is now a structured, responsive operation – thanks to autonomous action that stops threats before they escalate. “Knowing that potential threats are identified and mitigated around the clock provides invaluable peace of mind to our team, especially in an environment where uptime and continuity are everything.”  

Ruis said Darktrace plays a key role in PXGEO’s business continuity and disaster recovery planning, a testament to its value to the organization. “Cybersecurity is now seen as a proactive enabler of business continuity. Our leadership recognizes that investment in prevention is far more strategic than responding to risk after the fact.”

Strengthening client confidence with layered security

PXGEO supports some of the world’s largest oil and gas clients and regularly undergoes rigorous third-party risk assessments. “We consistently score high marks thanks to our layered security strategy and well-defined policies using Darktrace,” said Ruis. “It reinforces our clients’ trust in how we manage our operations.”

Scaling defenses amid the industry-wide talent shortage

Within three years, PXGEO has grown from 30 people and one vessel to over 500 employees and a fleet of 10 vessels. Darktrace has scaled seamlessly, helping detect anomalies, enforce best practices, and prevent misconfigurations. “Darktrace helps extend the reach and impact of our IT team, enabling resilient and scalable operations as we grow.” said Ruis. “Darktrace extends the reach of our team – keeping us resilient without added cost as we continue to grow.”

A strategic partnership in growth, innovation, and scalable defense

Cybersecurity continues to be a catalyst for innovation and growth at PXGEO. The team sees Darktrace not just as a solution, but as a long-term partner – one that evolves with their business, delivers ongoing value, and supports their efforts to stay ahead of emerging threats.”

One of PXGEO’s most forward-looking initiatives has the potential to reshape the industry – the development of autonomous marine vehicles. This advancement introduces new cybersecurity challenges, especially within Operational Technology (OT), and Ruis says Darktrace will be a key component of PXGEO’s security strategy. “As we keep growing and pushing the boundaries of innovation, our cybersecurity needs to keep pace. We are confident Darktrace will grow with us – helping keep our operations secure and resilient at every stage.”