June 19, 2023 Launch of a New Project at the ASEAN-Japan Cybersecurity Capacity Building Centre (AJCCBC)

On June 19, 2023, a ceremony was held at the ASEAN-Japan Cybersecurity Capacity Building Centre (AJCCBC) to mark the launch of a technical cooperation project by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), entitled “Project for Enhancing ASEAN-Japan Capacity Building Program for Cybersecurity and Trusted Digital Services.” By providing exercises to the AJCCBC and enhancing the exercise program, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) will continue cooperating in building cybersecurity capacity in ASEAN.

1. Background and overview

Cyberspace is a domain that is used across national borders. Therefore, it is essential to promote international cooperation to ensure cybersecurity. In addition, it is important to contribute to international human resource development by providing capacity-building support to developing countries, including those in the Indo-Pacific region, from the perspective of reducing cybersecurity risks for the entire world, including Japan.
In light of these circumstances, Japan formulated the “Cybersecurity Strategy” and the “Basic Policy on Cybersecurity Capacity Building Support for Developing Countries” (decided by the Cybersecurity Strategic Headquarters in December 2021) and is strengthening cybersecurity in developing countries.
MIC has been working on cooperation in cybersecurity capacity building in ASEAN. In cooperation with ASEAN countries, MIC was involved in establishing the AJCCBC in Bangkok, Thailand, in September 2018. MIC has been providing training on Cyber Defense Exercise with Recurrence (CYDER) (*) and other exercises while actively involved in the operation of the AJCCBC.
In March 2023, support for AJCCBC’s operations commenced under the “Project for Enhancing ASEAN-Japan Capacity Building Program for Cybersecurity and Trusted Digital Services,” a JICA technical cooperation project, and a ceremony was held to commemorate the implementation of the first exercise under this project.
MIC will continue to be involved in the operation of the AJCCBC and contribute to building cybersecurity capacity in ASEAN by providing CYDER and other exercises and enhancing the program.

(*) Cyber Defense Exercise with Recurrence (CYDER) is a hands-on, practical cyber defense exercise conducted by Japan’s National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) for information system personnel of national government agencies, local governments, independent administrative agencies, and critical infrastructure providers.

2. Event overview

Date and place: June 19, 2023
AJCCBC: The Ninth Tower Grand Rama IX Building (Building B), 15th Floor (Bangkok, Thailand)
Participants: (Japanese side) The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications,the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and JICA(Thai side) The Government of Thailand (National Cyber Security Agency, Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, Electronic Transactions Development Agency, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Structure: Opening remarks, keynote speech, closing remarks, and photo session

(Reference)
• Cybersecurity Strategy
https://www.nisc.go.jp/pdf/policy/kihon-s/cs-senryaku2021.pdf
• Basic Policy on Cybersecurity Capacity Building Support for Developing Countries
https://www.nisc.go.jp/pdf/policy/kokusai/cs-tojyokokushien2021.pdf
• AJCCBC
Official website URL:https://www.ajccbc.org/
Official Facebook account URL:https://www.facebook.com/AJCCBC/

[Related press release]
Establishment of ASEAN-Japan Cybersecurity Capacity Building Centre (September 7, 2018)

*The published materials are in Japanese only.