#Japan #Cybersecurity #Setagaya #Career Seminar #Active Specialist

Upcoming Free Career Seminar

In March 2026, Active Specialist Co., Ltd. will host a free career seminar tailored for IT and security professionals from March 4th, 11th, and 18th. This initiative comes as a response to the critical shortage of cybersecurity talent in Japan, a challenge that has reached alarming levels.

The Rising Demand for Cybersecurity Professionals

Since 2015, the frequency of cyber-attack-related communications has surged by approximately tenfold. Despite this increasing demand for cybersecurity, Japanese companies are facing a shortfall in skilled talent. A recent ISC2 survey indicated that Japan currently has around 500,000 cybersecurity professionals, yet the number of qualified individuals needed is estimated at 670,000, leading to a gap of 170,000.

The root causes of this shortage include a lack of clarity in career paths for security professionals, low productivity due to the personalization of security operations, a mismatch of skills, and outdated educational structures. As a result, professionals in this field often find themselves lost in terms of career progression.

Freelancing as a Solution

Leveraging the expertise and experience of IT and security personnel can greatly benefit small and medium enterprises dealing with cybersecurity challenges. This not only aids in resolving pressing security issues but also empowers specialists to explore diverse employment options, cultivating a self-directed career design. Active Specialist is dedicated to facilitating this transformation through speeches from experts and fostering peer networking for the participants.

Schedule of the Free Career Seminar

To promote effective initiatives in cybersecurity, the Japanese government has designated February 1 to March 18 as 'Cybersecurity Month.' In this context, we will conduct three consecutive online and in-person seminars aimed at enhancing the skills of IT and security personnel:

Session 1: March 4 (Wednesday) 19:00 - 20:00 (Online)

Theme: The Reality of Cybersecurity Workforce Shortage: “Another Way of Working”
[Learn More]

Session 2: March 11 (Wednesday) 19:00 - 20:00 (Online)

Theme: Starting from Scratch: Becoming a Freelance Consultant
[Learn More]

Session 3: March 18 (Wednesday) 19:00 - 20:00 (In-Person)

Theme: Skills Check and Networking for Getting Started as a Security Consultant
[Learn More]

Speaker Profile

Matsuzawa Hisanori
CEO of Active Specialist Co., Ltd.
MBA, Information Security Support Specialist, Cert. Fundraiser, Licensed Career Consultant. Hisanori has substantial experience, including formative roles at NTT R&D, where he developed new businesses leveraging cutting-edge technology. He later contributed to NTT Docomo’s Information Security division addressing targeted attack countermeasures and incident response structures. By 2019, he took on a leadership role in the information security sector at Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance, guiding the organization's security strategies and enhancing data governance and AI governance. In 2024, he founded Active Specialist to tackle issues related to cybersecurity and AI governance through effective utilization of freelance talent.

A Vision for the Future

Active Specialist strives to foster a society where skilled professionals are not bound by traditional employment structures and can freely design their careers. We are committed to supporting sustainable work practices while addressing social issues through innovative solutions.