Emergency Preparedness in Communications: Focus on BCP with Rakuten Mobile

September 1st marks Disaster Prevention Day in Japan, emphasizing the critical need for Business Continuity Plans (BCPs) that include communication environments. Rakuten Mobile Corporation is dedicated to supporting businesses in the development of BCPs, particularly in regard to emergencies such as natural disasters and cyberattacks.

In this article, we will delve into the importance of communication in disaster response, showcasing specific solutions and real-world examples of Rakuten Mobile’s commitments and offerings.

The Necessity for Communication Solutions During Disasters

Communication failures during disasters can severely affect numerous people, akin to disruptions in electricity and water supply. For instance, during the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, approximately 1.9 million fixed-line connections and about 29,000 mobile stations experienced outages, highlighting the need for robust communication infrastructure in disaster scenarios.

Challenges in BCP Adoption among Small Businesses

In disaster-prone Japan, preparedness is crucial for companies and government entities. A survey conducted by the Tokyo Chamber of Commerce revealed that while around 80% of companies recognize the necessity for information security measures, only 35.2% have formulated a BCP. This figure plummets to below 30% for small companies, indicating a significant gap in disaster preparedness across the sector.

Commencing BCP from the Communication Environment

For businesses and governmental organizations, BCPs are essential in minimizing asset damage and ensuring continuity. Specifically, communication-oriented BCPs must address two primary risks: disaster-related risks and IT risks from cyberattacks.

1. BCP for Disaster Risks

Example: A Specialized Network Designed to Mitigate Business Disruption

In cases of communication failures during disasters, the risk of business interruptions increases considerably. Rakuten Mobile’s “KŌSOKU Access” is specifically designed to mitigate these risks. Key features include:

- Dedicated Lines: By providing direct fiber connections to customer sites, this solution minimizes congestion from shared lines, facilitating uninterrupted connectivity during emergencies.
- SRv6 Network Design: This technology allows for automatic rerouting in case of line disruption, ensuring ongoing communication crucial for business continuity.

Example: Efficient Communication Infrastructure for Local Government

Setagaya Ward in Tokyo has implemented the Rakuten Turbo home router, which serves as a vital communication infrastructure during emergencies. Easy to set up, this router works as a communication tool for municipal staff during regular operations and can be relocated to evacuation centers in crisis situations, ensuring continuous communication during emergencies.

2. Cyberattack Risks and the Importance of IT-BCP

In today’s digital age, cyberattacks like ransomware pose serious threats. A survey from the Tokyo Chamber of Commerce found that around 70% of companies have never suffered a cyberattack; however, those that have, show a concerning vulnerability—20% of large enterprises and 10% of small firms reported incidents.

An effective IT-BCP must incorporate fundamental measures such as data backup, system redundancy, security protocols, and incident response readiness. As cyber threats evolve, advanced strategies like Zero Trust Security are emerging as pivotal in protecting information assets by asserting that no entity should be trusted automatically, whether inside or outside the network.

Rakuten Mobile’s Security Solutions

Rakuten Mobile’s Zero Trust Security framework enables a secure and efficient network access process. It centralizes security policy management, improving overall security posture while significantly reducing costs via dedicated support.

Comments from Rakuten Mobile

At Rakuten Mobile, we acknowledge our role as a telecommunications provider, especially regarding disaster preparedness. Our partnerships with municipalities like Setagaya illustrate our commitment to fostering an environment where communication remains uninterrupted under any circumstance. As Japan is frequently shaped by natural disasters, it is imperative for businesses and government offices to maintain continual focus on communication solutions for disaster readiness.

By leveraging cutting-edge technology and services, Rakuten Mobile remains steadfast in contributing to a robust infrastructure capable of meeting communication needs during disasters.

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