Expanding Possibilities and the Future with Cybersecurity: Continuing the "Youth Drive for Cybersecurity" Skill Development Program with a Grant from the Kyndryl Foundation

Certified NPO Sodateage Net (hereinafter "Sodateage Net"), with support from the Kyndryl Foundation—the philanthropic arm of Kyndryl—is providing ongoing human resource development and employment support in the cybersecurity field through its "Youth Drive for Cybersecurity" program for young people, in collaboration with support organizations across Japan.

■ Background of Activities

According to the "ISC2 Cybersecurity Workforce Study," cultivating cybersecurity talent in Japan is an urgent priority, with estimates suggesting a need for approximately 110,000 additional professionals. To address these challenges, this project provides opportunities for learning and skill acquisition within the cybersecurity field.

■ Regarding the Initiatives for FY2024–2025

In collaboration with 36 support organizations across Japan—stretching from Tohoku to Okinawa—a total of 299 young people participated in the program. While the foundational courses were held online, the advanced courses took place over two days at the Kyndryl Japan K.K. headquarters in Tokyo, with participants traveling from various regions by plane and Shinkansen to attend.

Furthermore, employees primarily from Kyndryl’s Security & Resiliency team participated as volunteers. In addition to providing technical support during the sessions, they engaged with the youth by sharing insights into their own career paths and fostering meaningful exchange.

The following feedback was received from the young participants:

• "It was a fresh and very interesting experience to be able to touch actual systems and try out simple hacking. My interest in information security has grown even further."

• "Interacting with participants from all over the country and the employees was fun and made for a stimulating time." 

• "Thanks to the employees who taught us patiently and thoroughly, I was able to tackle troubles without giving up and see things through to the end." 

• "Through dialogues with the employees, I was able to learn about various IT jobs, roles within the company, and how to build a career, which was very meaningful." 

• "I was able to hear stories from the field that I don't usually get to hear, as well as stories from people with diverse backgrounds, making it a valuable experience for thinking about my future."

■ 2026 Fiscal Year Event Schedule

June – December 2026 (Planned)

How to participate: Please apply via the website.

Details will be announced on the notification page as soon as they are finalized.

■ Partner Company

This program will conduct courses with the cooperation of D-Standard Inc., which possesses expertise and extensive practical experience in cybersecurity.

https://d-st.co.jp/

■ About the Kyndryl Foundation

The Kyndryl Foundation is an independent non-profit organization (certified under U.S. tax law 501(c)(3)) responsible for the social contribution activities of Kyndryl (NYSE: KD). In the communities where Kyndryl operates, the Foundation works to solve critical social issues through grants to non-profit organizations, volunteer activities, and social investments. The Kyndryl Foundation aims to contribute to human progress by unlocking the potential of people worldwide and fostering their ability to participate proactively in society. For more details, please visit www.kyndryl.org.

■ About Kyndryl

Kyndryl (NYSE: KD) is a leading provider of mission-critical enterprise technology services, offering advisory, implementation, and managed services to thousands of corporate customers in over 60 countries. As the world's largest IT infrastructure services provider, Kyndryl designs, builds, manages, and modernizes the complex information systems that the world depends on every day. For more details, please visit www.kyndryl.com (English) or www.kyndryl.com/jp/ja (Japanese).

■ About Sodateage Net

Sodateage Net is a non-profit organization that connects youth with society, aiming for a world where all young people can realize a "way of working" and a "way of living" that suits them. Viewing youth support as a "social investment," the organization implements "Job-Tre," a basic employment training program for unemployed youth, as well as support for their guardians and educational support programs for schools and communities. In addition to supporting the individuals themselves, it develops a wide range of activities, such as training supporters in collaboration with local communities, governments, and companies, to create a foundation for society as a whole to support young people.

https://www.sodateage.net/