#Japan #Cybersecurity #Tokyo #Small Businesses #Tokyo Grants

Boosting Cybersecurity Efforts in Tokyo: Grant Announcement

In a proactive measure to safeguard the information assets of businesses, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, in collaboration with the Tokyo Small and Medium Enterprise Support Center, is launching a grant initiative for cybersecurity enhancement for the fiscal year 2023. This program aims to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Tokyo in implementing robust cybersecurity measures, ensuring their data and systems are adequately protected against increasing cyber threats.

Overview of the Cybersecurity Promotion Grant

This grant is specifically designed for SMEs in Tokyo that declare their commitment to cybersecurity measures by achieving the IPA's (Information-Technology Promotion Agency) two-star security action certification. The funding will cover essential costs associated with implementing or upgrading necessary cybersecurity equipment and services, critically enhancing their security posture.

Eligible Applicants

To qualify, applicants must be small and medium-sized enterprises based in Tokyo that have officially declared their participation in the IPA’s security action initiative. This declaration shows the company's willingness to strengthen their cybersecurity framework.

Eligible Expenses

The grant will cover various expenses that companies incur while implementing their cybersecurity measures. The following items are considered eligible:

• - UTM Appliances: Unified Threat Management devices that integrate multiple security features.
• - Network Threat Mitigation Products: Firewalls (FW), Virtual Private Networks (VPN), Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS), etc.
• - Content Security Measures: Solutions for virus protection, spam filtering, etc.
• - Access Management Solutions: Including single sign-on and user authentication systems, enhancing user access control.
• - System Security Management: Products for managing access logs and system security protocols.
• - Encryption Tools: Solutions for encrypting files and data to enhance security.

Grant Rate and Limit

The grant rate is set at a maximum of 50%, with a cap on assistance of up to 5 million yen (approximately $46,000). The lower limit for applications is 100,000 yen (about $920), ensuring that even smaller projects can benefit from this initiative.

Application Schedule

The application process is divided into three rounds, each with specific electronic submission dates:

• - Round 1:

- Application Period: May 13 to May 19, 2023
- Decision Date: Late July 2023
- Grant Period: August 1 to November 30, 2023

• - Round 2:

- Application Period: September 9 to September 15, 2023
- Decision Date: Late November 2023
- Grant Period: December 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024

• - Round 3:

- Application Period: January 8 to January 15, 2024
- Decision Date: Late March 2024
- Grant Period: April 1 to July 31, 2024

Applications will be accepted through the electronic system provided by the government, known as 'J-Grant.' To utilize this system, applicants must obtain a 'G Biz ID Prime Account' beforehand, which can take approximately two weeks to issue. We encourage interested parties to start this process early.

Please Note: The above schedule is tentative and may be subject to change. Updates will be communicated via the center’s official website.

How to Navigate the Grant Process

Further details regarding the application method and eligible expenses can be found on the official Tokyo Small and Medium Enterprise Support Center website: Tokyo Grants for Cybersecurity.

Contact Information

For more information regarding the overall initiative, please reach out to the Industrial Labor Bureau’s Commerce Division at 03-5320-4773, or for specific inquiries regarding the grant, contact the Tokyo Small and Medium Enterprise Support Center’s Planning and Administration Department at 03-3251-7889.