The Japan Network Security Association (JNSA, Chairman: Hiroshi Ezaki), a nonprofit organization, has conducted the selection process for the 'JNSA OT Security Award 2026,' which recognizes outstanding operational technology (OT) security initiatives in manufacturing facilities such as factories and plants. We are pleased to announce the three winning factories as follows.

Background and Selection Process

In recent years, cyberattacks targeting the manufacturing sector have been on the rise, making factory security measures essential for business continuity. To widely promote awareness of the importance of OT (Operational Technology) security and foster a culture of OT security across Japanese industry, JNSA established the 'OT Security Award' in March of this year.

For the inaugural OT Security Award 2026, JNSA evaluated applicants based on maturity across organizational, operational, technical, and supply chain management aspects. The assessment also emphasized the establishment (status) and effectiveness (effectiveness) of security measures, as well as the integration of OT security with broader manufacturing risk reduction efforts. The evaluation included on-site interviews and other direct assessments. As a result, the following three factories were recognized for their exceptionally outstanding initiatives and have been selected for awards.

Awarded Factories (Names listed without honorifics) and Reasons for Recognition

・NEC Platforms Co., Ltd. Fukushima Site

【Reason for Recognition】 JNSA highly commends the Fukushima Site of NEC Platforms for implementing micro-segmentation and SOC monitoring at the production line level, enabling continuous operation and improvement of OT networks. Additionally, the site’s ongoing BCP drills—including line shutdown decision-making—and incident response training, informed by past experiences and continuously fed back into improvement activities, demonstrate exceptional effectiveness in OT security.

・NEC Platforms Co., Ltd. Kakegawa Site

【Reason for Recognition】 JNSA highly commends the Kakegawa Site of NEC Platforms for establishing a coordinated control framework involving management, IT security leadership, OT management, and frontline staff, enabling sustained promotion of OT security encompassing BCP, training, and network operations. Furthermore, the site’s implementation of micro-segmentation and SOC monitoring, along with its phased expansion of rules and coverage while considering each factory’s operational realities and workload, represents a practical and sustainable model for advancing OT security.

・Ricoh Industry Co., Ltd. Tohoku Site

【Reason for Recognition】 JNSA highly commends the Tohoku Site of Ricoh Industry for naturally integrating OT security into manufacturing operations through the frontline-oriented concept of '5S + S (Security),' and for advancing it in conjunction with BCP, DX, and continuous improvement initiatives. Starting from the fundamental manufacturing goal of 'keeping the factory running,' the site has continuously implemented education, training, awareness surveys, and improvement activities, successfully embedding OT security as an organizational culture—an exemplary practice within Japan’s manufacturing industry. Technical measures were also highly evaluated.

Future Outlook

JNSA will continue to promote activities aimed at widely sharing the outstanding practical models identified through this award, fostering a culture of OT security across Japan and contributing to the development of a safer, more sustainable industrial foundation. The award will be held annually, with plans already underway for the 'OT Security Award 2027' in the coming year.

※ For past press releases regarding the background and overview of this award, please visit:

https://www.jnsa.org/otsecurityaward/2026/index.html

Contact for This Release

Japan Network Security Association (JNSA) Secretariat

E-Mail: [email protected] 　TEL: 03-6435-6540

Organization Overview

【Organization Name】 Japan Network Security Association (JNSA)

【Headquarters】 4F Hinokiya Building, 5-7-12 Shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo

【Secretary General】 Masahiro Shitomura

【Established】 July 2001

【Website】 http://www.jnsa.org/

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