Military necessity has given Israel a world lead in cybersecurity technology, and Japan's public and private sectors are taking notice. Although the nations' geopolitical situations are sharply different, cybersecurity concerns have been growing for Japan and it lacks immediate answers.
Both countries stand to gain from collaborating in the field. Japan is seeking skilled cybersecurity professionals after an attack on its national pension servers and as it prepares to host the 2020 Olympics, while Israel is trying to position cybersecurity as a valuable export industry.
Israel has more than 250 specialized cybersecurity firms. The outstanding ones are often headed by former members of Unit 8200, the Israeli army's elite cyberwarfare unit.