Japan mulls expert teams for cyberattack-hit local governments

Japan’s communications ministry plans to establish a system to dispatch expert teams to local governments hit by cyberattacks, amid difficulties in securing sufficient personnel and budgets for cybersecurity measures, informed sources said.

The team of information and communication technology experts will work to prevent the spread of damage from cyberattacks and support the recovery of information systems in local governments. The ministry hopes to include related expenses in its budget request for fiscal 2027, due by the end of this month, according to the sources.

The plan was adopted because local governments are expected to face cybersecurity incidents beyond their handling capacity, as the risk of cyberattacks increases with the advancement of artificial intelligence.

The team will be composed of IT professionals, including systems engineers, with operations scheduled to be outsourced.

In addition to minimizing damage and supporting the restoration of information systems following cyberattacks, the team will handle system modifications and other tasks beyond emergency responses.

Additionally, the ministry has decided to launch a consultation desk for local governments regarding the procurement of IT equipment such as personal computers and USB memory drives, with the aim of strengthening the support structure for responding to safety inquiries regarding products not certified by government evaluation schemes.

The ministry is coordinating with relevant bodies to include the idea in its request for structural changes and personnel quotas for fiscal 2027.