Leaders from across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Japan convened in Tokyo for the 2nd AJCCA Conference 2025, a high-level forum emphasizing a unified, regional front against rapidly escalating cyber threats. Held under the theme, “Securing the Future with AI-Driven Cybersecurity and a Resilient Supply Chain,” the conference solidified the commitment of the ASEAN-Japan Cybersecurity Community Alliance (AJCCA) to foster closer cooperation and collective digital defense.
The event, hosted at The University of Tokyo, brought together government officials, industry experts, and cybersecurity champions from ten nations. In a stark warning, Japan’s National Cyber Director, Yoichi Iida, underscored that the ASEAN and Japan regions are among the world’s most frequent targets for complex cyberattacks, referencing high-profile ransomware incidents that have disrupted critical infrastructure and major businesses. Iida’s address stressed that no single entity can combat these sophisticated threats alone, urging a new model of collective defense that transcends national and institutional borders.
Key to this collective strategy is the framework championed by AJCCA Chairman, Rudi Lumanto, which centers on three interlocking pillars: Collaboration, Capacity, and Connectivity. Lumanto explained that Collaboration must evolve beyond simple information sharing into synergistic programs and shared strategies, facilitating rapid, coordinated regional responses. He stressed that bolstering Capacity requires harnessing Artificial Intelligence (AI) to process vast log data, predict threat vectors, and automate defense mechanisms—a necessity in an era of AI-driven deepfake fraud and automated attacks. Finally, Connectivity was highlighted as critical for securing the entire global supply chain, a vulnerability acutely exposed by the Kaseya VSA ransomware attack.
Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry reinforced this focus on resilience, outlining national initiatives like the Cyber-Physical Security Framework and the promotion of a Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) to enhance transparency and security across the supply chain, while also reaffirming support for capacity-building efforts within ASEAN’s Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Voices from ASEAN nations echoed the call for future-readiness, with Singapore’s Assistant Chief Executive from the Cyber Security Agency urging proactive measures against AI misuse and greater investment in advanced technologies. The conference concluded with participants pledging to strengthen the alliance’s network to tackle emerging challenges, including critical-infrastructure protection and supply-chain security, ensuring a trusted and resilient digital ecosystem for the entire region. The AJCCA Cyber Resilience Awards (ACRA), recognizing outstanding contributions to regional cybersecurity, capped off the day, symbolizing the unified spirit of the ASEAN-Japan partnership.
