Japan-ASEAN Center Holds Public-Private Cybersecurity Exercise
Overview
The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) conducted an exercise with Japanese companies at the ASEAN-Japan Cybersecurity Capacity Building Centre (AJCCBC), following a similar exercise last year. Government officials and critical infrastructure operators from ASEAN member states took part and gained hands-on experience in development using generative AI and other tools, vulnerability discovery, attack detection, and measures to protect cloud environments and web applications. A similar initiative is planned for the next fiscal year. MIC says it will strengthen international cooperation through exercises and other activities and contribute to strengthening cybersecurity capabilities in the ASEAN region.
Key points
- MIC conducted an exercise in cooperation with Japanese companies at AJCCBC.
- The exercise ran from November 2 through November 6, 2026.
- The exercise covered development using generative AI and other tools, attack detection, and measures to protect cloud environments and other systems.
- A similar initiative is planned for the next fiscal year.
Overview
Cyberattacks targeting governments and critical infrastructure operators are increasing worldwide, and the threats are becoming more complex. Developing personnel capable of responding effectively is considered a shared challenge at home and abroad.
In coordination with ASEAN countries, MIC established the ASEAN-Japan Cybersecurity Capacity Building Centre (AJCCBC) in September 2018. The centre supports capacity building for government officials and others from ASEAN countries through exercise-based training, while expanding and diversifying its training programs.
International capacity-building support is designated as an important measure in the Cybersecurity Strategy and the Basic Policy on Capacity-Building Support for Developing Countries in the Field of Cybersecurity.
Impact
MIC says it will strengthen international cooperation through public-private exercises and other activities to address threats that are difficult for any one country to handle alone, contributing to stronger cybersecurity capabilities in the ASEAN region.
Details
The exercise was held from November 2 through November 6, 2026, at AJCCBC, located inside the Thai National Cybersecurity Agency building. Participants included government officials and critical infrastructure operators from ASEAN member states. It was organized by MIC and AJCCBC, with cooperation from the Thai National Cybersecurity Agency, JICA, AppGuard Inc., Amiya Corporation, and Cyber Security Cloud Inc.
The training provided hands-on learning in program development using LLMs and generative AI, vulnerability discovery, and log-based attack detection, and addressed measures to protect cloud environments and web applications. CYDER is a hands-on, practical cyber defense exercise conducted by NICT for information systems personnel at government agencies, local governments, independent administrative agencies, critical infrastructure operators, and other organizations.
A similar initiative is planned for the next fiscal year.