The Japan government has adopted its basic policy for helping developing countries to improve their cybersecurity capacity.
As per the policy, Japan will expand the scope of its aid to cover economies in the Indo-Pacific region, after focusing its support in the field on member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. The importance of promoting digitalisation is increasing in developing countries amid the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Amid the rapid expansion of digitalisation in developing countries, it’s important to globally spread the philosophy of ensuring a free, fair and secure cyberspace, which was set forth in the government’s cyber strategy, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said at a meeting of the government’s cybersecurity strategy headquarters, which was reported by Japan Times. Matsuno heads the headquarters.
Critical Infra Protection
Specifically, Japan plans to strengthen its support for electricity providers, railway and other important infrastructure operators through a public-private partnership. In addition, Japan will work on making international rules on the use of cyberspace.
A month back, the United States Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Department of State (DOS), and Department of Energy (DOE) have supported the Japan–U.S. Industrial Control Systems (ICS) Cybersecurity Week which was held from 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, officials said.
As there is a global shortage of highly skilled cybersecurity experts, the government will also make efforts to nurture human resources to give medium- to long-term support to Japanese companies operating abroad. As for the scope of aid recipients, the basic policy says that Japan will consider the possibility of offering support to African countries.
Also read: https://cybersecurity.w.media/us-gov-japan-conduct-joint-cyber-security-exercise-in-indo-pacific/
