Japan's New AI-Based Cyber Defence System

Japan’s Ministry of Defense (MoD) plans to invest $240 million in the cyber domain this year, which includes developing an Artificial Intelligence-based system to counter cyber-attacks. The system will autonomously detect malicious e-mails, judge the level of threat using AI and respond against cyber-attack. 

The aim is to develop an all-inclusive AI system that can detect malevolent emails, respond to cyber-attacks in an automated way through machine learning skills and eventually neutralise the effect of attacks on public and private sector targets.

Japan truly woke up to a digital alert in January this year when a massive scale cyber attack was launched on Mitsubishi Electric by a hacking group though to be from China. Media sources reported that critical information about MoD and Nuclear Regulation Authority was  stolen by hackers in the attack. Furthermore, documents related to private firms, railway operators and a car manufacturer visionary approach for the year 2022 were also reportedly accessed by the threat actors.

To prevent any further attacks  on public and private entities, Japan’s MoD has now initiated measures to thwart such attacks shortly and  plans to create a  to strategic a framework to defend the nation's  critical infrastructure from cyber-attacks.

The MoD wants to procure Cyber Information Gathering System in order to gather information on the tactics, techniques and procedures of cyber-attacks against the MoD or Self-Defense Forces. It also wants to expand Cyber Defense Group from 220 personnel to 290 personnel; and conduct a research on cybersecurity measures for network devices used by the Japanese military.

The attack against Mitsubishi Electric only came to light after the company spotted irregular activity on devices located in Japan. Mitsubishi found unauthorised access to the management section at its head office and elsewhere.

The attack is said to have compromised e-mail exchanges between the Japanese MoD, the Nuclear Regulation Authority as well as documents related to projects with private firms, railway operators, communications and car manufacturers.

Asahi Shimbum:      Defense World:      Cybersecurity Insiders:     Japan Times:        ITSecurity News: 

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