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IPA Unveils Information Security 10 Major Threats 2026: A Wake-Up Call for Japanese Higher Education
Japan's Information-technology Promotion Agency (IPA), a government-backed organization dedicated to advancing information technology and cybersecurity nationwide, published its highly anticipated annual report, 'Information Security 10 Major Threats 2026,' on January 29, 2026. This report draws from 2025's most impactful cybersecurity incidents, evaluated by a panel of approximately 250 experts including researchers and industry practitioners. It categorizes threats separately for organizations and individuals, aiming to heighten awareness and guide preventive measures across sectors, including higher education institutions that manage vast troves of sensitive research data, student records, and intellectual property.
Higher education in Japan, home to prestigious universities like the University of Tokyo and Kyoto University, faces amplified risks due to extensive international collaborations, open-access research networks, and the integration of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) in teaching and research. The report's emphasis on AI-related cyber risks underscores an evolving threat landscape that academic institutions must address urgently to safeguard operations and innovation.
Breakdown of the Top Organizational Threats
The organizational threats are ranked based on societal impact, with persistent issues like ransomware dominating the list. Here's the complete ranking:
| Rank | Threat | First Selected | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ransomware Attacks Causing Damage | 2016 | 11 consecutive years at #1 |
| 2 | Attacks Targeting Supply Chains or Third-Party Vendors | 2019 | 8 consecutive years at #2 |
| 3 | Cyber Risks Surrounding AI Utilization | 2026 | New entrant |
| 4 | Attacks Exploiting System Vulnerabilities | 2016 | 9 appearances, 6 consecutive |
| 5 | Targeted Attacks Aiming at Confidential Information | 2016 | 11 consecutive years |
| 6 | Cyber Attacks Stemming from Geopolitical Risks (Including Information Warfare) | 2025 | 2 consecutive years |
| 7 | Information Leaks Due to Internal Misconduct | 2016 | 11 consecutive years |
| 8 | Attacks Targeting Remote Work Environments and Mechanisms | 2021 | 6 consecutive years |
| 9 | DDoS Attacks (Distributed Denial-of-Service) | 2016 | 7 appearances, 2 consecutive |
| 10 | Business Email Fraud | 2018 | 9 consecutive years |
This structured list highlights how traditional threats persist while new ones like AI risks climb rapidly.
Ransomware: The Unrelenting #1 Threat to Campuses
Ransomware, malicious software that encrypts data and demands payment for decryption, has topped IPA's list for 11 straight years. In 2025, attackers shifted to 'double extortion' tactics—stealing data before encryption and threatening leaks. Japanese universities proved particularly vulnerable, with incidents disrupting classes, exams, and research.
For instance, Tokai University suffered ransomware attacks in April and November 2025. The first halted student portals and email across multiple campuses; the second, via a third-party server, risked leaking staff and student data. Similarly, Juntendo University and Rakuyo University faced server compromises, exposing personal information.
The process typically unfolds in steps: phishing emails deliver malware, attackers exploit unpatched systems to move laterally, encrypt files, and exfiltrate data. Universities' decentralized IT setups exacerbate recovery times, often spanning months.
- Follow the 3-2-1-1-0 backup rule: 3 copies, 2 media types, 1 offsite, 1 air-gapped, 0 errors.
- Conduct regular threat hunting and Active Directory audits.
- Train faculty and students on phishing recognition.
For higher ed IT professionals seeking roles in resilient environments, explore openings at higher education jobs.
Supply Chain Attacks: Risks in Academic Collaborations
Ranking second, these attacks infiltrate via trusted vendors or partners, a growing concern for universities outsourcing cloud services or research tools. The 2025 addition of 'outsourced parties' to the threat name reflects incidents where weak vendor security compromised institutions.
Hosei University's 2025 breach stemmed from a vendor server intrusion, illustrating how academic partnerships with external labs or edtech firms create entry points. Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry plans a 2026 security evaluation system for supply chains to mitigate this.
Step-by-step mitigation:
- Map your full supply chain, including subcontractors.
- Require vendors to meet standards like ISO 27001.
- Implement Attack Surface Management (ASM) for continuous monitoring.
Detailed guidance is available on the IPA official 10 Threats page.
🚀 AI Cyber Risks: The New #3 Threat Revolutionizing Academia
Debuting at third, 'Cyber Risks Surrounding AI Utilization' captures the double-edged sword of AI in higher education. Japanese universities increasingly deploy AI for personalized learning, research analysis, and administrative tasks, but inadequate safeguards expose new vulnerabilities.
Risks include: prompt injection (tricking AI to reveal secrets), inadvertent data leaks via training inputs, deepfake phishing, and AI-enhanced attacks. The OWASP Top 10 for Large Language Models (LLMs) identifies issues like LLM01: Prompt Injection and LLM02: Sensitive Information Disclosure.
In academia, faculty inputting proprietary research into public AI tools risk IP theft; students face AI-generated fraud. World Economic Forum notes misinformation as a top short-term AI risk.
Proactive steps:
- Develop AI usage policies prohibiting sensitive data in unvetted tools.
- Train users on verification of AI outputs.
- Adopt AI security gateways for threat modeling.
Persistent Vulnerabilities and Targeted Attacks on Research
Fourth-ranked vulnerability exploits prey on outdated campus systems, while fifth-place targeted attacks seek research IP—critical for Japan's R&D-heavy universities. Legacy software in labs remains a weak link, enabling zero-day exploits.
Geopolitical threats (#6) rise amid Japan-China tensions, with state actors probing for tech secrets. Universities must bolster defenses via threat intelligence sharing.
Internal and Remote Work Vulnerabilities in Hybrid Learning
Internal misconduct (#7) and remote attacks (#8) exploit hybrid models post-COVID. Faculty using personal devices for lectures risk breaches. DDoS (#9) disrupts online exams, and AI-boosted business email scams (#10) mimic deans requesting funds.
For personal threats (alphabetical), universities should educate on phishing, app vetting, and banking fraud, as students fall victim frequently.
2025 Case Studies: Lessons from Japanese University Breaches
Hiroshima Institute of Technology detected a breach in November 2025, potentially exposing student emails and hashed passwords. These real-world examples mirror IPA's warnings, emphasizing rapid incident response.
Trend Micro's 2025 review notes 87 ransomware disclosures in Japan, with education hit hard.
Read more in the IPA press release.
Strategic Measures for University Cybersecurity Resilience
IPA urges continuous threat monitoring, supply chain audits, and education. Universities should:
- Implement zero-trust architectures.
- Run simulated phishing drills.
- Leverage national frameworks like Japan's Cybersecurity Strategy.
For career advice on securing academic networks, visit higher ed career advice.
Photo by Erik Mclean on Unsplash
Future Outlook: Navigating 2026 and Beyond
Detailed IPA explanations arrive late February 2026. With AI proliferation, expect hybrid threats. Japanese higher ed must invest in talent—consider research assistant jobs in cybersecurity. Rate professors on security awareness via Rate My Professor. Explore university jobs and higher ed jobs for resilient roles. Post a vacancy at post a job.
Stay informed to protect Japan's academic future.
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