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Hitachi

Social Innovation

Enabling Online Cybersecurity Training:
Hitachi Launches ONLINE NxSeTA


ONLINE NxSeTA in action

The threat of cyberattacks is increasing worldwide. On May 10, 2021, a fuel pipeline company in the U.S. suffered a cyberattack that forced it to temporarily suspend operations, causing gasoline shortages and other problems in the surrounding areas.

The spread of IoT technologies is spurring the rapid digitalization of critical infrastructure such as energy and railways. When such critical infrastructure suffers a cyberattack, people's lives are severely disrupted. In light of these circumstances, the Japanese government has set forth a national policy for strengthening cybersecurity.

Against this backdrop, on June 1, 2021, Hitachi, Ltd. began offering ONLINE NxSeTA, which is a service that enables online training for mitigating cyberattacks on critical infrastructure. According to Mitsuaki Ishiba of the Service Platform Business Division Group, Hitachi, Ltd.: "We need to strengthen organizational incident response capability and to bolster security human resources development through practical training."


The original Nx Security Training Arena facility at Omika Works

In 2017, Hitachi established at its Omika Works, located in Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture, the original “Nx Security Training Arena” facility for critical infrastructure operators. The “ONLINE NxSeTA” is an online version of the training available at this facility. As critical infrastructure operators expand remote work due to COVID-19, the aim is to have them strengthen their ability to respond to incidents in remote environments.


Demonstration screen for ONLINE NxSeTA

ONLINE NxSeTA makes it possible to undergo practical training by using a simulation system that reproduces the environment of actual critical infrastructure. Participants undertake a training series comprising cyberattack detection, log analysis, and recovery while using tools that they use in their work to communicate with relevant parties. Training results also are fed back to participants in evaluation reports so that, if problems or weaknesses are found, future training can focus on continuous strengthening in these areas.

Ishiba asserted that "It is not possible to completely prevent cyberattacks, so it is important to minimize the impacts on business operations in the event of an attack." He went on to say that "To counter the growing threat of cyberattacks, Hitachi will provide support in the form of a total solution that includes consulting and monitoring services. In addition, Hitachi will contribute to the widespread deployment of domestic cybersecurity training aimed at raising the level of security measures and at strengthening resilience."

  • Interviewed and written by: Kai O'Connor
  • Release Date: June 29, 2021