AironWorks Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Kay Terada), a startup providing an AI-driven cybersecurity training platform, announced on March 31 that it participated in a night session at "Security Days Spring 2026 Tokyo," held on Tuesday, March 25, 2026, at the JP Tower Hall & Conference in Marunouchi, Tokyo.
The session, titled "Cybersecurity Strategies for Japanese Companies in the AI Era: Insights from an Israel Unit 8200 Veteran," drew an audience of over 100 people, resulting in a packed house with standing room only. CTO Gonen Krak, who oversees technical strategy and product development at the company’s Tel Aviv R&D center, took the stage for his first public appearance in Japan in approximately a year to share cutting-edge insights directly.
With the rapid advancement of generative AI, cyberattack methodologies are undergoing a major shift. Attackers are now using AI to easily bypass the "Japanese language barrier," automatically gathering target intelligence to launch highly personalized phishing attacks.
During the session, it was revealed how AI has exponentially increased the efficiency of targeting the "people" who operate systems, rather than attempting to breach robust security infrastructures head-on. Furthermore, the "language barrier" that once protected Japanese companies has vanished, and "Phishing-as-a-Service (PhaaS)"—where phishing tools are sold as SaaS on the dark web—is becoming rampant.
While most companies have traditionally used the number of people who clicked a link as their primary KPI for targeted email training, AironWorks recommends shifting the focus to how many employees reported the suspicious email. Akihiro Ito, Executive Officer and Head of Japan, emphasized that "The moment an employee turns into a defense asset is the moment they report a suspicious email," arguing that fostering a "reporting culture" is more critical than technical measures alone.
Furthermore, as AI integration progresses, the session addressed the risk of AI agents themselves becoming new targets for attacks. Managing three key perspectives—system vulnerabilities, human error, and the security of AI agents—was identified as a primary challenge for the future.
Gonen Krak commented, "AI-driven attacks are evolving faster than anticipated. Our mission is to enhance human resilience against these sophisticated AI threats, and this is something every organization must prioritize."
■ ICT Startup League
This support program was launched in FY2023, sparked by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications' "Project for Supporting Seed-stage R&D for Startup Creation."
The ICT Startup League supports startups through four main pillars:
1. R&D Funding / Hands-on Support
Up to 20 million yen in R&D funding is provided in the form of grants. In terms of hands-on support, the selection committee members continue to provide guidance and promote growth even after the selection process. For companies that evaluation members are particularly passionate about, they provide ongoing advice on business plans and growth opportunities—a support system akin to being a "super fan" of the startup.
2. Discovery & Cultivation
The league provides opportunities for learning and networking to accelerate the business growth of its members. It also seeks to discover aspiring entrepreneurs to expand the startup ecosystem.
3. Competition & Co-creation
Designed like a sports league to foster positive competition, startups learn and grow together while competing for the necessary funding (up to 20 million yen). It also serves as a platform for co-creation, where members can collaborate and expand their businesses through sessions with the evaluation committee and other networking opportunities.
4. Communication
The league partners with media outlets to broadcast the efforts of its members. By increasing public awareness of these businesses, the program aims to expand opportunities for new matching and business prospects.
■ Related Websites
ICT Startup League
/
AironWorks Inc. (Official Site)
/
AironWorks Inc. (LEAGUE MEMBER)
/
Event Report Page
/
Original Press Release (Japanese)
💡 Read Next
Behind every news release is a story of immense passion and gritty trial-and-error by startups tackling social issues.
▶︎ Read exclusive interviews with startups on the front lines
For more details on STARTUP LEAGUE's startup support, please see here.
