Japan Holds First, Government-Sanctioned Hacking Contest
In an effort to bolster its defenses against cyber attacks, Japan held its first government-sanctioned hacking contest, which culminated February 3 in Tokyo.
According to a report on NHK, Japan's national broadcaster, Masahiro Uemura, an official with the Ministry of the Economy, Trade and Industry, said these kinds of contests are common in other countries and are used to develop a domestic pool of cyber security experts. He added that Japan has a shortage of experts and is looking for ways to foster them.
"Hacking techniques are getting more complicated and sophisticated," he said. "We need this kind of contest to fight back and survive." In September of 2012, Japan faced an onslaught of cyber attacks after the government purchased the disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu islands, also claimed by China. The attacks targeted government websites as well as those of universities, banks and hospitals. The attacks are believed to have emanated from China.
