Japan’s Growing Cyber Security Talent Gap and Its Impacts

The Challenges and Opportunities in Bridging the Supply-Demand Imbalance

The global shortage of cyber security professionals is a challenge that is reshaping industries and governments alike. Japan finds itself in the thick of this issue, with a deficit of 110,000 experts, as reported by ISC2. Despite efforts to grow the talent pool, demand continues to outpace supply, with Japan’s supply-demand gap for cyber security professionals rising at an astonishing 97.6% rate, the highest among surveyed countries. What does this mean for businesses, governments, and society at large?

Japan has taken steps to address this imbalance. For example, the 2017 launch of the Registered Information Security Specialist (RISS) certification aimed to build a robust talent pipeline. Yet, with only 23,000 certified specialists as of 2024—far short of the 50,000 targets by 2030—progress has been slow. Challenges like the certification’s high difficulty and misalignment with practical needs hinder its broader adoption.

The issue extends beyond certifications. Japan’s Ministry of Defense plans to scale up its cyber-related workforce to 20,000 personnel by 2027, but its July 2024 report highlighted that achieving this goal will require a multifaceted approach, including the expansion of internal development for motivated talent while strategically using external expertise for highly specialized knowledge that cannot be cultivated in-house.

Meanwhile, private-sector recommendations, like those recommended by the Japan Association of Corporate Executives, emphasize job-ready training and expanded educational capacity, yet the systemic gap persists.

Addressing this issue requires a multi-faceted approach. It’s not enough to train professionals for current needs, we must also build a sustainable talent pipeline. That starts with rethinking education and broadening access to cyber security training.

The next post will delve into how educational initiatives can rise to meet this challenge.

Take the next step in your cyber security journey with Nihon Cyber Defence (NCD). We offer education and workforce development opportunities designed to prepare you for a rewarding career in cyber security. Explore stories like Robbie Hunter’s, a student from Northern Regional College, who gained invaluable hands-on experience with NCD. Enhance your skills, gain real-world experience, and unlock your potential in this critical field. Contact us today to learn how you can get involved.

Keiichi Hori

Executive Advisor @ Nihon Cyber Defence

Keiichi Hori

Executive Advisor @ Nihon Cyber Defence

Current Deputy Secretary-General of JANE, Hori strengthens Japan’s defence and tech collaboration through expertise in national security, diplomacy, and technology.

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