Society

Japan launches new cyber defense command to counter threat from neighboring countries

Mar 20 (the-japan-news.com) - The Defense Ministry has launched a cyber defense command by reorganizing related units of the Ground, Maritime and Air Self-Defense Forces. The move is aimed at strengthening its ability to cope with rapidly growing cyber threats from China, North Korea and Russia.

However, there are many issues to be tackled, such as legal restrictions hampering an immediate counterattack. Another issue is that protection of critical infrastructure such as electric power facilities is not expected to be part of the command’s mission.

Referring to the threat of increasingly sophisticated cyber-attacks, Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi stressed in his speech at the inauguration ceremony that the military command is an important pillar of strengthening capabilities in the field of cybersecurity.

The 540-strong command, which was launched on Thursday, is tasked with protecting the information and communications network that controls the operations of all SDF units.

With the SDF’s chains of command connected via a common network, a senior SDF official said the reason for launching the unit is that if a cyber-attack by an enemy were to penetrate the network, the entire SDF would be severely damaged and unable to use its capabilities in combat.

Source: ANNnewsCH

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