Google unveiled its new Cybersecurity Center of Excellence in Japan on Thursday, with a focus on strengthening defenses against escalating cyber threats in the Asia-Pacific region.
Criminal gangs and state-backed actors pose risks to governments, militaries, and critical infrastructure, prompting the tech giant to collaborate with security specialists, researchers, and partners.
The centre aims to conduct collaborative cybersecurity research with universities and governments in Japan and neighboring areas.
Google plans to extend its support to enhance cybersecurity for 300,000 small to mid-sized businesses, non-profits, and social organizations in the region, addressing concerns raised in its October warning that the Asia-Pacific is a prime target for cyberattacks.
Governments, including Japan, echo these concerns and point to large-scale fraud, ransomware, and cyberattacks attributed to China and Beijing-linked groups.
Japan’s National Police Agency, in collaboration with the FBI, warned of widespread malware attacks by China-linked cyber actors, such as BlackTech, which targeted various sectors, including those supporting the US and Japanese militaries.
The cybersecurity landscape has intensified, with Washington labeling China as the most significant cyber espionage threat, while Beijing accuses the United States of being the “world’s biggest hacking empire,” citing documented activities in cyberwarfare, online surveillance, and hacking.
