The United States Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Department of State (DOS), and Department of Energy (DOE) are proud to have supported the Japan–U.S. Industrial Control Systems (ICS) Cybersecurity Week October 25-29, 2021.
Hosted by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the Industrial Cyber Security Center of Excellence (ICSCoE) under the Information-technology Promotion Agency (IPA), the training brought together 40 operational technology (OT) and information technology (IT) professionals from the Indo-Pacific region.
This was the fourth iteration of the Japan-U.S. ICS cybersecurity exercise, which aims to improve the security of critical cyber infrastructure in partner countries across the Indo-Pacific region. This year, experts from the European Union officially co-sponsored the event, making this the first “Japan-U.S.-EU Industrial Control Systems Cybersecurity Week for the Indo-Pacific Region.”
The weeklong training, held virtually, brought together OT and IT cybersecurity experts from critical infrastructure operators, national Computer Security Incident Response Teams (CSIRTs), and policy experts from relevant ministries and national authorities. Trainees represented the electricity, oil and gas, water, and construction sectors – some of the sectors most at risk of cyber attacks. They were joined by current trainees and graduates of the ICSCoE year-long “Core Human Resource Development Program.”
Cybersecurity Week provided participants with unique opportunities to conduct hands-on training remotely and study a variety of cybersecurity-related topics, including supply chains, process automation, and workforce development from experts from the United States, Japan, and the EU. They also shared their experiences and views with colleagues in the region.
The program underscores a shared commitment by the United States, Japan, and EU to ensure an open, interoperable, reliable, and secure cyber space, while building a foundation to jointly address the growing cybersecurity threats with like-minded Indo-Pacific and European partners.
Video messages from Japan, the United States, and the EU in Opening Remarks session:
Mr. HOSODA Kenichi
State Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry
Mr. Eric GOLDSTEIN
Executive Assistant Director for Cybersecurity, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
Ms. Lorena BOIX ALONSO
Director in the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology, European Commission
Mr. Raymond F. GREENE
Chargé d’Affaires ad interim, U.S. Embassy Tokyo
Dr. Takuho MITSUNAGA
Associate Professor, Faculty of Information Networking for Innovation And Design (INIAD),
Toyo University (Lecturer, ICSCoE IPA)
