Japan has become the latest member of the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence (CCDCOE).
Although conventional warfare on Western soil has been rare for decades—thanks in large part to NATO—cyberspace has been a constant battleground. Nations and non-state actors regularly target critical infrastructure, government networks, and private industry, making cyberdefense an urgent, ongoing priority.
In April, the Five Eyes intelligence alliance issued a joint cybersecurity advisory warning of an increased risk of Russian cyberattacks against critical infrastructure. The advisory highlighted that countries supporting Ukraine, including those that have lawfully supplied conventional weapons, could be targeted in retaliation.
The CCDCOE accepts members that are not formal NATO members, allowing partners to collaborate closely with the alliance on cyber defense.
Following the May additions of South Korea, Canada, and Luxembourg, the CCDCOE now includes 32 members: 27 NATO member states and five contributing partners that are not NATO members.
Japan, while not a NATO member, has long worked with the alliance and previously participated in the CCDCOE’s annual cyber exercise Locked Shields, a large-scale training event that pits defensive “blue teams” against offensive “red teams.”
According to the Japan Ministry of Defense, Japan has completed the required procedures and will formally join the CCDCOE as a full member:
#JMOD will formally join NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence’s (#CCDCOE) activities, following the completion of participation procedures. JMOD will continue to collaborate with international partners to respond to threats in cyber domain. pic.twitter.com/hJcHVjz2rO
— Japan Ministry of Defense/Self-Defense Forces (@ModJapan_en) November 4, 2022
Cyberwarfare carries real risks. As more essential systems—medical devices, power grids, transport infrastructure, and communications networks—connect to the internet, cyberattacks can produce consequences beyond financial or data loss, threatening public safety and national resilience. NATO has cautioned that a sufficiently severe cyberattack could warrant a collective response under its defense commitments.
One example occurred on the day Russia invaded Ukraine, when a cyberattack on satellite operator Viasat disrupted Ukrainian communications. The operation produced spillover effects affecting wind turbines in Germany. While that incident did not meet the threshold to trigger NATO’s Article 5 collective-defense mechanism, it illustrated how cyber operations can cascade across borders and infrastructures, increasing the danger of broader escalation.
The need for NATO
Debate over NATO’s role surfaced during long periods of relative peace, but recent geopolitical tensions have reinforced its relevance. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, China’s posture toward Taiwan, North Korea’s missile tests, and Iran’s nuclear ambitions have shifted the conversation: collective defense and coordination have become essential once more.
Before Russia’s full-scale invasion, many NATO members did not meet the alliance target to spend at least 2% of GDP on defense. Only five of the 30 members were meeting or exceeding that benchmark— the United States (~3.61%), Greece (~2.38%), the United Kingdom (~2.21%), Estonia (~2.16%), and Poland (~2%).
The conflict in Ukraine prompted most NATO countries to increase defense spending to meet or surpass the 2% guideline. In addition, traditionally non-aligned countries such as Sweden and Finland reassessed their positions and moved to join NATO, driven by concerns about regional security.
NATO remains a powerful deterrent against aggressive actions by larger powers seeking to dominate smaller neighbors. Expanding participation in NATO initiatives like the CCDCOE strengthens collective cyberdefenses, reduces vulnerabilities, and lowers the risk that cyber incidents will escalate into more destructive conflict.
Interested in learning more about cybersecurity and cloud technologies from industry experts? The Cyber Security & Cloud Expo hosts events in Amsterdam, California, and London featuring leading practitioners and vendors from across the sector.
Discover other upcoming enterprise technology events and webinars organized by TechForge in their events listings.