Over 16% of Japanese companies experience data breaches

A total of 16.2% of companies in Japan have experienced data breaches, including suspected cases, due to cyberattacks or human error, a survey by Teikoku Databank showed Monday.

According to the survey, 30.2% of large companies suffered or potentially suffered such breaches, significantly higher than 14.3% among small businesses. The survey, conducted between Oct. 4 and Wednesday, received valid answers from 1,328 companies in the country.

Several firms said that data leaked due to human error, such as sending emails to wrong addresses. In one case, a staff member at a company sent information in response to an email from a sender that pretended to be a client.

Meanwhile, 14.8% of responding companies said that they are unsure of whether breaches had occurred. The survey also highlighted the possibility that some firms have been unable to grasp the extent of possible damage, with one small company official saying, “We may have been unaware that we were attacked.”

Recently, numerous companies in Japan have reported personal information breaches caused by unauthorized access.

Still, many small companies struggle to allocate funds for countermeasures or hire specialized personnel. An official of one small company that was requested by a large client firm to enhance cybersecurity measures said, “We’d like financial and human support, as well as guidance.”