On July 2, the Ministry of Defense announced a “comprehensive strategy for recruiting and developing human resources who specialize in cyber security”.
Starting in fiscal 2025, the Ground Self-Defense Force will open up positions for candidates to become senior members of its cyber unit. The ministry also considers easing physical fitness standards after appointment, making it easier to recruit a wide range of personnel to bolster the nation’s cyber defense system.
At the same time, the ministry will set up an appointment system to train personnel who join at low rank such as “Private, Seaman, Airman” and “Sergeant, Petty Officer” to seniors who will play a leading role in this unit’s operations. The new system will also provide training opportunities at private companies after appointment so that they can learn the latest technologies.
In addition, the ministry will expand the reserve SDF personnel system. As a “cyber reserve SDF officer,” they will be responsible for maintaining important SDF systems in the event of a cyber-attack to support SDF members. The ministry will also provide opportunities for joint training with overseas forces specializing in cyber.
At a press conference on July 2, Defense Minister Minoru Kihara emphasized, “Securing human resources who specialize in cyber security is an urgent issue. We have clarified a career path to meet the needs of SDF members who would like to continue working in the cyber field”
In 2022, the SDF sped up the establishment of the system and launched a “cyber defense unit”. In fiscal 2023, the unit consisted of about 620 personnel. By the end of fiscal 2027, the SDF plans to increase the number of members of the cyber defense unit and the Ground, Maritime, and Air Self-Defense Forces to about 4000.
The Japanese government and the private sector are scrambling to secure cyber defense personnel. According to the International Information System Security Certification Consortium (ISC 2), the world’s largest cybersecurity certification body, Japan is short of 110,000 personnel. In addition to securing personnel, a system to train people is necessary.
Under the “SDF personnel system with fixed term appointment”, which the Ministry of Defense will start hiring as early as fiscal 2025 to attract more capable cyber security personnel, the maximum annual salary for cyber personnel is set at about 23 million yen (about $140,000), the same as that for administrative vice ministers and the SDF’s top position, Chief of Staff.
※$1=161 yen
Background Information:
https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZQOUA020Q10S4A700C2000000/
https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZQOUA01BH40R00C24A7000000/
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20240705/k10014501791000.html
https://www.jiji.com/jc/article?k=2024070200457&g=pol#goog_rewarded
