How Japan Has Prepared For Cybersecurity Threats At The Tokyo 2020

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Last October, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) identified cybersecurity as a priority area and announced plans to heavily invest to provide the best cybersecure environment for the games. However, the IOC noted that they would not be disclosing the specific details of their cybersecurity plan due to the nature of the topic.

Japan has faced multiple cyberattacks and threats — the most recent, according to UK National Cyber Security Centre, was an alledged threat from the Russian military during the preparations of Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where journalists, foreign officials, spectators and athletes would add to the 117 million active internet users in Japan.

It is key that we see how Japan can combat the increased cyberthreat and evaluate their strategy. It should also be noted that previous Olympic events like the Rio 2016, London 2012 and the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games had their fair share of cyberthreats and overcame them to varying degrees. By studying those situations and by considering the technological disparity, it is clear that there are a few lessons.

Dependence On Digital Infrastructure

As a country, Japan is a technology leader. Tech giants such as Toyota, Panasonic and others will deliver innovative ideas to help the games run smoothly. Having these companies as partners — along with the year-long postponement of this event to this July — Japan has gained an advantage by having the time to update its digital infrastructures, and so the confidence in the event’s cybersecurity should be heightened.

That said, Tokyo 2020 will depend on digital infrastructure such as an AI-enabled face-to-face live translation device, face-recognition tech and ZMP’s Robot Taxi, a driverless taxi. These technologies demonstrate how dependent Tokyo 2020 will be on technology — and, therefore, highlight the potential risks if a system were infiltrated. Japan and the IOC must be able to trust in these companies, their technical know-how and digital infrastructure, such as communication suites, applications, cloud services, internet spine, APIs and integrations and so on.

Japan’s Cybersecurity Response

Japan’s leading energy utility has also partnered with the Israel Electric Corporation (IEC), Israel’s electricity provider, to manage cybersecurity concerns to critical infrastructure during the Olympics.

A review of Japan’s cybersecurity strategy for Tokyo 2020 showed that Japan has limited cybersecurity professionals with only 28% of IT professionals working in-house. This is significantly lower than the 65.4% in the United States, 61.4% in Germany and 53.9% in the United Kingdom. To solve this problem, Japan trained 220 “ethical hackers” earlier this year in hopes to create a more cybersecure Tokyo 2020.

Also, the review posited that Japan has advanced in its response to cyber-related issues since 2015. They have joined bilateral agreements with other nations, improved their digital infrastructure and trained IT personnel. However, it is clear that Japan still needs to increase its cybersecurity response and it is suggested that it should announce sanctions for the perpetrators of cyberattacks — which Japan has not done historically — and also commit to naming and blaming sponsoring organizations and countries responsible for a breach.

Key Takeaways From Japan’s Cybersecurity Practices

Cybersecurity, in general, is constantly evolving, and Japan’s approach to solving these challenges is unique but varied:

• In solving its lack of IT workers and innovating ways to solve cybersecurity problems, the country allows the flow of IT professionals across ministries. This practice has worked thus far but does not replace the need to have numerous IT professionals specifically working in each ministry — not remotely or as freelance employees.

• The network of physical objects (Internet of Things) used to transfer data in Japan’s technology industry has been fashioned to follow the practices of countries with which they have bilateral agreements — especially the U.S. — and, to stay secure, they will be leveraging these agreements and relationships.

• Japan has looked to both national and international companies to assist with their cybersecurity needs. It is imperative that these companies keep Japan safe.

Conclusion

Japan is a technology hub and innovator but has been challenged by cyber crimes, threats and attacks like every other country. The country has taken steps to change the narrative. With the games around the corner, Japan has demonstrated high-quality innovations and partnerships to increase protection during Tokyo 2020.

Private tech companies, the government and other countries have come together to shape the narrative that Japan’s cybersecurity is indeed advancing. Tokyo 2020 will be a good stage to showcase this progress.

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