- Moreover, we will push forward with efforts to create an environment where people can gain "Plus Security" knowledge9 so that executives who pursue cybersecurity measures along with digitalization through such initiatives as those stated above can identify the risks inherent in the digital services that are the source of their company’s competitive strength. 4. 1. 2 Advancing DX with Cybersecurity among local communities and SMEs - As businesses are forced to respond to the pandemic, business models, workstyles, and employment patterns are changing as well. Against this background, opportunities for digitalization will spread to local communities, SMEs, and various industries and business categories that were previously unrelated to cyberspace, without exception. - On the other hand, SMEs will face a lack of resources (expertise and talent) in their effort to pursue cybersecurity measures along with digitalization due to a difficulty deploying staff specialized in security. - We will roll out community activities across Japan based on the idea of mutual help, and promote efforts to create opportunities for communities faced with a lack of resources to address issues and generate added value, not only through consultation with experts but also by matching businesses and human resources and developing talent. - In order to make inexpensive, effective, and accessible security services and simple insurance products widely available for SMEs, we will advance efforts including operation of a system to evaluate and register services that meet certain criteria, in cooperation with industry-led consortium established with the aim of enhancing the cybersecurity of entire supply chains, including SMEs. - In addition, we assume that widespread use of cloud services among SMEs will also become an important option going forward. Use of such services will entail a certain amount of risk that information may inadvertently be leaked due to the placement of information assets off company premises, as well as problems with settings, etc. Accordingly, we will communicate matters that cloud service users must keep in mind, and consider urging cloud service providers to take necessary steps to prevent or reduce configuration errors when using cloud services. 4. 1. 3 Building a foundation for ensuring trustworthiness of value chains - While it is expected that all stakeholders will create new value by freely establishing value chains toward Society 5.0, in which cyberspace is integrated with physical space at a high level, new issues that will arise in such value chains will need to be addressed. - In light of frameworks, etc., for security measures that are formulated with the aim of addressing such issues appropriately and cover both cyberspace and physical space, we will advance initiatives to create a foundation for building trustworthiness in value chains in Japan. 9 This refers to knowledge that personnel who may not necessarily have expertise or work experience related to IT or security should acquire as needed, when such knowledge becomes necessary in collaborating with internal and external security experts. 13