With critical infrastructures relying more on information and communication technologies (ICT) than ever before, they leave themselves more vulnerable to threats from technical failures, hacking, natural disasters and human error.

The need for new cyber security solutions and practices that protect an infrastructure's networks against these threats encouraged Japan's Control System Security Center (CSSC), a non-profit, collaborative research association, and the European Network for Cyber Security (ENCS), a non-profit association of members whose mission is to improve the resilience of European critical infrastructures, to form a partnership that would help strengthen collaboration on industrial control systems and critical infrastructures.

A memorandum of understanding states both parties will share their knowledge and expertise to improve the sectors in Japan and Europe. Together, they will research and develop new projects and testing activities, and support workshop and training events, according to ARC Advisory Group.

International collaboration efforts to improve ICT strengthen both physical and cybersecurity in critical infrastructure.