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SoftBank Group has launched "Patching as a Service" in Japan, with the aim of helping enterprises combat the growing threat of AI-driven cyberattacks.
The service combines OpenAI technology with SoftBank's operational expertise to deliver a comprehensive cybersecurity solution. Specifically, it uses OpenAI's specialized cybersecurity models to identify vulnerabilities and SoftBank's enterprise operational footprint to scale deployment.
The service will be rolled out by SB OAI Japan GK, a joint venture between SoftBank and OpenAI that was established last November.
Initially, it involves a vulnerability assessment, which uses AI to scan and identify potential security weaknesses across a company's internal systems. Next, it proceeds to remediation planning, during which the AI tool automatically analyzes the identified weaknesses and outlines the precise steps needed to resolve them.
Despite its name, the service functions as an advisory and diagnostic intelligence tool rather than an automated code deployment platform. It does not automatically apply patches. Instead, it identifies vulnerabilities and provides expert recommendations. Human cybersecurity teams then handle prioritization and implementation.
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"We want to create a system where we will be able to defend critical Japanese infrastructure," SoftBank Group Chairman and CEO Masayoshi Son told enterprise clients during a livestreamed presentation from Tokyo.
Before launching the service commercially, SoftBank conducted a large-scale internal vulnerability assessment of its systems using OpenAI's cybersecurity technologies. The company reported "promising results" in identifying potential vulnerabilities, and SoftBank's cybersecurity team is applying the operational experience gained from this assessment to the rollout of Patching as a Service.
Protecting Japan's critical infrastructure
SoftBank is initially targeting the service at Japan's top 3,000 companies, including airports, power grids and public transportation networks.
"Attempted cyberattacks powered by advanced AI will become widespread. We're determined to defend against them by using state-of-the-art AI," Son said, emphasizing the urgency of this latest initiative.
He described Japan's vulnerability to cyberattacks as "a crisis", comparing modern AI-powered attacks to "machine guns" versus the "rifle shots" of traditional cyberattacks, highlighting the exponentially increased threat level.
Pricing for the service have yet to be disclosed. However, SoftBank has already begun reaching out to eligible companies to accept applications for vulnerability assessments.
The service's launch is accompanied by the establishment of a dedicated team of 50 personnel, with the intention of expanding the division to a workforce of 1,000 security specialists.
About the Author
Senior Editor, APAC, Light Reading
Gigi Onag is Senior Editor, APAC, Light Reading. She has been a technology journalist for more than 15 years, covering various aspects of enterprise IT across Asia-Pacific.
She started with regional IT publications under CMP Asia (now Informa), including Asia Computer Weekly, Intelligent Enterprise Asia and Network Computing Asia and Teledotcom Asia. This was followed by stints with Computerworld Hong Kong and sister publications FutureIoT and FutureCIO. She had contributed articles to South China Morning Post, TechTarget and PC Market among others.
She interspersed her career as a technology editor with a brief sojourn into public relations before returning to journalism, joining the editorial team of Mix Magazine, a MICE publication and its sister publication Business Traveller Asia Pacific.
Gigi is based in Hong Kong and is keen to delve deeper into the region’s wide wild world of telecoms.