The UK and Norwegian governments have formed a partnership to research and develop technical security.

The agreement between the UK National Authority for Counter-Eavesdropping (UK NACE) and the Norwegian National Security Authority (NSM), builds on an existing partnership through which the countries have shared national security information.

The government said technical security includes the identification of covert devices used to transmit data, which can either be used to eavesdrop or to launch other types of attack, including cyber-attacks.

UK NACE was founded in 1945 in response to the threat of technical espionage attacks on British embassies located in Soviet Europe.

The government said that the focus on research and innovation has helped it to put effective risk mitigation strategies in place and tackle modern threats from eavesdropping and surveillance technologies, which is often concealed.

“UK security is indivisible from European security – and we are stronger when we stand together,” said Stephen Doughty, minister for Europe, North America and UK overseas territories. “Norway is one of our closest defence and security partners, and I welcome this agreement, which will further strengthen our collective resilience against threats from hostile states as part of our new strategic partnership.”

Last week the UK government announced a collaboration with Norway to work on green energy technology.

Under the new partnership, the two countries will work on projects to support the increase of “home-grown” energy with the aim of making Britain a leader in clean energy by 2030.

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