NICT, Nashua Solutions, and ZenmuTech Begin Joint Development to Implement Secret Sharing Technology into 'NerveNet', a Mesh Network for Local Governments
NICT, Nashua Solutions, and ZenmuTech have started joint development to implement secret sharing technology into the 'NerveNet' mesh network for local governments. The aim is to ensure secure data protection and maintain communication even during disasters.
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- 📰 Published: April 24, 2026 at 00:30
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The National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (hereinafter 'NICT'), Nashua Solutions Co., Ltd. (hereinafter 'Nashua Solutions'), and ZenmuTech Co., Ltd. (hereinafter 'ZenmuTech') are pleased to announce the commencement of joint development. This initiative aims to commercialize a data security solution by implementing ZenmuTech's secret sharing technology into 'NerveNet™' (hereinafter 'NerveNet'), a disaster-resilient regionally distributed network that NICT and Nashua Solutions have been promoting for local governments.
This initiative combines 'NerveNet', proven as a 'disaster-resilient network for local governments', with secret sharing technology, which renders data itself meaningless and manages it in a distributed manner. The goal is to reduce the risk of information leakage in municipal operations and realize a safe and secure data utilization environment during both normal times and disasters.
1. Background and Objectives
In recent years, the volume of data handled by local governments internally and externally has been increasing due to the utilization of the Government Cloud, the introduction of various cloud services, and the expansion of telework. On the other hand, a challenge exists where the disruption or congestion of communication infrastructure during a disaster makes it difficult to stably share and utilize critical information such as resident data and evacuation alerts.
'NerveNet' is a disaster-resilient regionally distributed network developed by NICT and technology-transferred to Nashua Solutions. It connects multiple base stations in a mesh structure and autonomously grasps the status of the entire network to select the optimal communication path. This allows communication to be maintained even if some locations are damaged or disconnected. Furthermore, each base station has built-in servers and storage, with a function to automatically synchronize data among the devices. This characteristic allows application services to be provided solely by the base stations even if connection to the Internet or the cloud is lost.
By applying ZenmuTech's secret sharing technology to the important data handled by local governments on NerveNet, we aim to realize a system where data itself is handled in a state that 'has no meaning even if stolen', in addition to the resilience of the network infrastructure.
As a result, we seek to improve the continuity and reliability of resident services while suppressing the risk of information leakage, not only during normal business operations but also in communication environments temporarily deployed during disasters.
2. Overview of the Solution Under Joint Development
The solution currently under development aims to achieve a double defense of network and data by adding data protection capabilities via secret sharing to the NerveNet-based municipal network environment.
The main expected features are as follows:
- Resident information and business data exchanged on NerveNet are split via secret sharing, saved and transmitted as fragments that are meaningless on their own.
- With a structure where the original data cannot be restored unless the necessary fragments are gathered, it suppresses content leakage even if information leaks from certain communication paths or terminals.
- Emphasizing compatibility with existing NerveNet environments, we are considering an architecture that allows phased introduction without significantly changing the internal network configuration of the government office.
- We assume a design that can continue data protection with the same mechanism when NerveNet is deployed as a temporary communication infrastructure during a disaster, in addition to its use as a self-operated municipal network during normal times.
3. Future Developments
At the 'Local Government/Public Week 2026' to be held at Tokyo Big Sight from May 13 to 15, 2026, we will introduce the concept of this solution and provide demonstrations at the NICT booth. Through this, we plan to gather opinions and requests from municipal representatives and reflect them in the examination of functions and operation models with an eye on actual deployment.
■ Local Government/Public Week 2026
https://www.publicweek.jp/ja-jp.html
[About ZenmuTech's Secret Sharing Technology]
Secret sharing technology is an information security method that divides important data into 'multiple fragments that have no meaning on their own' and manages and stores these fragments separately. The original data can only be restored when an authorized combination of fragments is gathered.
'ZENMU-AONT', a domestic secret sharing technology developed by ZenmuTech, is characterized by the absolute impossibility of restoration unless all fragments are gathered. By simply destroying or isolating a specific fragment, the remaining fragments are completely rendered meaningless.
https://www.zenmutech.com/sss/
[About the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT)]
The National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) specializes in the field of information and communications...
This initiative combines 'NerveNet', proven as a 'disaster-resilient network for local governments', with secret sharing technology, which renders data itself meaningless and manages it in a distributed manner. The goal is to reduce the risk of information leakage in municipal operations and realize a safe and secure data utilization environment during both normal times and disasters.
1. Background and Objectives
In recent years, the volume of data handled by local governments internally and externally has been increasing due to the utilization of the Government Cloud, the introduction of various cloud services, and the expansion of telework. On the other hand, a challenge exists where the disruption or congestion of communication infrastructure during a disaster makes it difficult to stably share and utilize critical information such as resident data and evacuation alerts.
'NerveNet' is a disaster-resilient regionally distributed network developed by NICT and technology-transferred to Nashua Solutions. It connects multiple base stations in a mesh structure and autonomously grasps the status of the entire network to select the optimal communication path. This allows communication to be maintained even if some locations are damaged or disconnected. Furthermore, each base station has built-in servers and storage, with a function to automatically synchronize data among the devices. This characteristic allows application services to be provided solely by the base stations even if connection to the Internet or the cloud is lost.
By applying ZenmuTech's secret sharing technology to the important data handled by local governments on NerveNet, we aim to realize a system where data itself is handled in a state that 'has no meaning even if stolen', in addition to the resilience of the network infrastructure.
As a result, we seek to improve the continuity and reliability of resident services while suppressing the risk of information leakage, not only during normal business operations but also in communication environments temporarily deployed during disasters.
2. Overview of the Solution Under Joint Development
The solution currently under development aims to achieve a double defense of network and data by adding data protection capabilities via secret sharing to the NerveNet-based municipal network environment.
The main expected features are as follows:
- Resident information and business data exchanged on NerveNet are split via secret sharing, saved and transmitted as fragments that are meaningless on their own.
- With a structure where the original data cannot be restored unless the necessary fragments are gathered, it suppresses content leakage even if information leaks from certain communication paths or terminals.
- Emphasizing compatibility with existing NerveNet environments, we are considering an architecture that allows phased introduction without significantly changing the internal network configuration of the government office.
- We assume a design that can continue data protection with the same mechanism when NerveNet is deployed as a temporary communication infrastructure during a disaster, in addition to its use as a self-operated municipal network during normal times.
3. Future Developments
At the 'Local Government/Public Week 2026' to be held at Tokyo Big Sight from May 13 to 15, 2026, we will introduce the concept of this solution and provide demonstrations at the NICT booth. Through this, we plan to gather opinions and requests from municipal representatives and reflect them in the examination of functions and operation models with an eye on actual deployment.
■ Local Government/Public Week 2026
https://www.publicweek.jp/ja-jp.html
[About ZenmuTech's Secret Sharing Technology]
Secret sharing technology is an information security method that divides important data into 'multiple fragments that have no meaning on their own' and manages and stores these fragments separately. The original data can only be restored when an authorized combination of fragments is gathered.
'ZENMU-AONT', a domestic secret sharing technology developed by ZenmuTech, is characterized by the absolute impossibility of restoration unless all fragments are gathered. By simply destroying or isolating a specific fragment, the remaining fragments are completely rendered meaningless.
https://www.zenmutech.com/sss/
[About the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT)]
The National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) specializes in the field of information and communications...