Japan Security Awards 2026 Opens for Applications

The Japan Digital Transformation Promotion Association Security Division announced on July 8, 2026 (Wed) that applications are now open for the "Japan Security Awards 2026." This award, now in its third year, recognizes companies and organizations that implement excellent security initiatives. The judging criteria focus not on the adoption of products and tools, but on how an organization operates its security. Both private companies and administrative bodies (municipalities) are eligible, and applications are free. The deadline is August 28, 2026 (Fri), with the awards ceremony scheduled for November 12, 2026 (Thu).

Website: https://security-awards.jp/

Background of the Awards

As more organizations adopt AI in their operations, cyberattacks are also becoming more sophisticated. The scope of data handled and the attack vectors are expanding, making the importance of security operations greater than ever.

However, these initiatives are often difficult to see from the outside, especially when they are running smoothly, and there are few opportunities for them to be properly recognized. The Japan Security Awards judge not the adoption of products and tools, but the organization's operational practices, such as management involvement, establishment of systems and rules, human resource development, and post-incident improvements.

By evaluating these daily operations and making them visible through awards, we provide validation for on-site work and create achievements that can be demonstrated internally and externally. The initiatives of award-winning organizations will be shared as case studies to help other companies and municipalities review their own operations.

Application Overview

[Application Period]

July 8, 2026 (Wed) - August 28, 2026 (Fri) (※Application is complete upon submission of the entry sheet)

[Eligible Applicants]

Private companies, administrative bodies (municipalities), educational institutions, and various organizations (self-nomination and third-party nomination are both accepted) that practice excellent security measures, human resource development, and support services.

[Award Categories]

- Security Governance & Operations Division: Recognizes companies and organizations that implement management involvement, systems, rules, operations, and improvements as an organization. Both private companies and administrative bodies are eligible, with a Grand Prize and Excellence Award selected for each.

- Security Human Resource Development Division: Recognizes advanced initiatives for nurturing security personnel, regardless of whether they are within a company, region, or educational institution.

- Security Operations Support Division: Recognizes excellent support services and case studies from companies and organizations that assist other organizations in improving their security operations.

- Special Award: To be selected for initiatives related to security measures in the AI era.

※One Grand Prize and two Excellence Awards will be selected in each division (the Governance & Operations Division will select separately for private companies and administrative bodies).

[Schedule]

- July 8, 2026 (Wed): Applications Open

- August 28, 2026 (Fri): Application Deadline (Entry Sheet Submission Deadline)

- September 2026: Finalists Announced

- November 12, 2026 (Thu): Summit & Awards Ceremony | City Hall & Gallery Gotanda (5-1-1 Osaki, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo)

[Judges]

- Eiji Kuwana (President/Professor, Information Security University, Director, ISC2)

- Yoshiyuki Kuwahara (Former CIO/Director of Information Strategy, Hiroshima Prefecture; Executive Vice President, Trive Security Lab Inc.; Executive Strategist, Public Sector Solutions Division, NEC Corporation; Outside Director, Onebi Inc.)

- Ichiro Sugiyama (Forensic Technology Leader/Cyber Assurance Leader, EY Japan Forensics; Principal, EY ShinNihon LLC; Technical Advisor for Cybercrime Countermeasures, Yamanashi Prefectural Police)

- Michio Sonoda (Director, National Cyber Training Center, National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT))

Organizer: Security Division, Japan Digital Transformation Promotion Association

How to Apply

Applications are accepted via a dedicated form on the official website. Both self-nomination and third-party nomination are welcome. For details, please visit the official website.

Website: https://security-awards.jp/

Application Form: https://security-awards.jp/application/

Japan Security Awards 2025 Grand Prize Winners (for reference)

- Lifenet Insurance Company (Security Measures & Operations Division / Private Company)

- Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture (Security Measures & Operations Division / Administrative Body)

- Tokyo Denki University Special Course in International Cybersecurity (CySec) (Security Human Resource Development Division)

- NTT TechnoCross Corporation (Security Operations Support Division)

Japan Digital Transformation Promotion Association

Secretariat Address: Risona Kudan Building 5F KS Floor, 1-5-6 Kudanminami, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0074

Representative: Yuichi Morito, Representative Director

Established: June 2010 (Incorporated: October 2010)

URL: https://jdxa.org

Inquiries regarding this matter: https://jdxa.org/security-awards-contact/

Business Activities:

- Training of DX personnel and support for organizational transformation

- Holding DX-related events and study sessions

- DX promotion projects for regional and small/medium-sized enterprises

- Policy proposals, information dissemination, and awareness activities, etc.

Media operated by JDX:

- Keikaku Hiroba: https://www.keikakuhiroba.net/

- Digital Workstyle College: https://digitalworkstylecollege.jp

- TechTrends: https://techtrends.jp