Japan urges businesses to tighten security after a string of personal data thefts
Japanese authorities warned businesses after a series of unauthorized intrusions into systems holding large amounts of personal data led to data theft. The Cabinet Secretariat's National Cybersecurity Office asked companies to apply security patches and updates quickly, strengthen multi-factor authentication, tighten data protection, and review these steps across their supply chains, including contractors. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare issued a similar warning to businesses under its supervision and related groups, and pointed healthcare providers to its cybersecurity guidance.
What does it mean?
Hackers have broken into computer systems at companies that hold lots of personal information and stolen data. Japanese officials are asking those companies to fix security weaknesses quickly, make logging in more secure, and check the security of their suppliers too. Medical organizations and companies that supply their information systems have been pointed to the health ministry's cybersecurity guidance.
Who is affected?
Businesses that handle large amounts of personal data, sensitive-data businesses, medical institutions, and companies that provide medical information systems to them, including their contracted suppliers.