Japan mulls expert teams for cyberattack-hit local governments
The considerations come as difficulties rise in securing sufficient personnel and budgets for cybersecurity measures.
Japan’s communications ministry is considering setting up a system to dispatch expert teams to local governments affected by cyberattacks, according to informed sources. The ministry acknowledges challenges in recruiting enough personnel and allocating adequate funds for cybersecurity initiatives. The proposed team would focus on mitigating the impact of cyberattacks and assisting in the recovery of information systems within local government agencies.
The ministry aims to incorporate related costs into its budget proposal for fiscal 2027, which is due by the end of this month, as reported by the sources. This decision stems from the recognition that local governments may struggle to address cybersecurity incidents due to their limited capacity, especially as the threat of cyberattacks rises with the progress of artificial intelligence.
The expert team will consist of IT professionals, such as systems engineers, and will be outsourced for operations. In addition to containing the damage caused by cyberattacks and aiding in the restoration of information systems post-incident, the team will also oversee system modifications and other duties beyond emergency response.
Furthermore, the ministry intends to establish a consultation desk for local governments to provide guidance on purchasing IT equipment, such as personal computers and USB memory drives, with the goal of bolstering the support system for addressing safety concerns related to products not certified by government evaluation programs.
The ministry is collaborating with related entities to incorporate this proposal into its request for structural adjustments and personnel allocations for fiscal 2027.
Written by urgent.news from Japan Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
