Japan held a government-wide cyber security drill recently in a bid to improve coordination among public agencies and major businesses, as Tokyo prepares to host the 2020 Summer Olympics. The mock cyber attack for the first time brought together 21 government departments and firms in 10 business sectors, including utilities, banking and aviation.

“Cyber attacks have grown increasingly sophisticated, highly developed and internationalised,” said the Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga. “It has become ever more important that the government strengthens its ability to counter attacks,” he said.

About 100 people took part in the mock drill which saw various government ministries come under attack, including computer viruses. The government has said it faces a cyber attack every 30 seconds, on average. The exercise had participants sharing information, gathering data and analysing the attacks as well as the extent of the damage. Others prepared press releases and statements from government ministers to keep the public informed.

Earlier this month, Minister of Technology Policy Ichita Yamamoto cautioned that Tokyo must beef up its preparedness ahead of the 2020 Games. “In the area of cyber security, various measures are possible as we prepare for the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics in six years’ time,” he said.