In addition to the structural organization of the research work in work packages, the research within NORCICS, guided by the user partners’ strategic innovation priorities, is organized into four Focus Areas (FAs), as shown in the figure below. Each FA addresses a range of cybersecurity challenges that arise in the process of digital transformation in critical sectors. Specifically, research in FA1 (titled “IT&OT integration”) addresses such challenges arising because of the integration of Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) systems. Research in FA2 (titled “5G”) addresses challenges with the secure exploitation, usage, and security of 5G and other communication technologies; cryptographic approaches are also included here. Research in FA3 (titled “Human and organizational aspects”) addresses non-technological challenges, to ensure the holistic approach to cybersecurity that NORCICS follows. Research in FA4 (titled “Data analytics”) is concerned with the efficient leveraging of data analytics to address cybersecurity challenges in the digital transformation process.

The need to scientifically coordinate the research performed in the tasks within each focus area arose in 2022, and NORCICS appointed leaders responsible for each FA. These are:

• FA 1- IT&OT integration: Habtamu Abie, Norsk Regnesentral

• FA 2- 5G: Poul Heegaard, NTNU

• FA 3- Human and organizational aspects: Halvor Holtskog, NTNU

• FA 4- Data analytics: Siri Bromander and Martin Eian, Mnemonic AS

The FA leaders are expected to lead the tasks within their respective focus area towards, among others, ensuring their coherence and complementarity; avoiding overlaps; maximizing the potential to develop and establish synergies; strengthening collaboration between partners; and leveraging the work in the tasks to formulate spinoff innovation projects. The focus area leaders, together with the work package leaders, form the extended scientific management team.