Japan announces emergency cybersecurity package after wave of attacks

Japan announced this Friday (6) an emergency cybersecurity package with artificial intelligence and new response teams. The measure follows a wave of digital attacks.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi highlighted the urgency of containing data leaks that impact the population. The actions will mobilize resources from the government and private sectors.

The package totals US$63 million. The measures seek to place the country among the leaders in digital security and expand the "active cyber defense" legalized in October.

A team with Defense, Police and Cybersecurity Office will act on national threats. By the end of November, a group from the Ministry of Economy will use artificial intelligence.

The plan also provides for a public-private cyber rescue team to help affected companies. Another group will help the most vulnerable organizations strengthen their defenses.

Japan announced this Friday (6) an emergency cybersecurity package that provides for the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and the creation of teams to respond to cyber attacks. The initiative was presented after a series of data leaks hit companies and government agencies.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated at a ministerial meeting today that it is essential to respond quickly to possible attacks in a scenario of threats generated by artificial intelligence. She asked public bodies and companies to reinforce their preparation for this type of occurrence.

The package was announced after dozens of companies and government agencies suffered unauthorized access to their systems and leaks of customer data, which sparked concern in the country.

"Right now, cases of unauthorized access and data leaks are occurring, causing a major impact on the daily lives of the population and the activities of companies," said Takaichi. "We will expand response capacity across Japan by mobilizing all government resources."

The measures, which total US$63 million (R$345.24 million), seek to expand the country's response capacity, with the sharing of information between the public and private sectors, rapid assistance to those affected and measures to recover the damage.

The plan seeks to place Japan among the countries with the highest levels of cybersecurity in the world.

The government intends to expand its ability to preventively access servers used by hackers. The strategy, known as "active cyber defense", was legalized in October.

In the event of a possible threat to national security, the government will mobilize a support team made up of representatives from the Ministry of Defense, the National Police Agency and the National Cybersecurity Office.

Among the measures is the creation, by the end of November, of a team of cybersecurity experts under the responsibility of the Ministry of Economy, Commerce and Industry. The group will use artificial intelligence to combat hackers and identify flaws that can be exploited in systems and networks.

The group is also expected to work with technology companies and artificial intelligence developers from allied countries to keep Japan's cybersecurity knowledge up to date.

The package also provides for the creation of a "cyber rescue team", made up of experts from the public and private sectors, to provide first assistance to companies affected by digital attacks.

Another team will be responsible for helping more vulnerable companies strengthen their defense systems.