SMBC ventures in cybersecurity and philanthropy

This week, SMBC announced a new joint venture in cybersecurity, as well as enhanced philanthropy advisory services.

Cybersecurity

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance of the MS&AD Insurance Group, Cyreeg, and E-Guardian established SMBC CyberFront on February 17, 2025, with full-scale business operations, including service provision to customers, scheduled to begin gradually from April. SMFG will hold 60%, Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance 20%, Cyreeg 18%, and E-Guardian 2% of the shares in the joint venture.

In response to the increasing number of cyber attacks both domestically and internationally, SMBC CyberFront will support cybersecurity measures primarily for small and medium-sized enterprises in Japan through the following services:

First, they will provide cybersecurity support that accompanies customers through regular consulting services from a medium to long-term perspective. Particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises where cybersecurity specialists tend to be lacking, they will complement this shortage by listening to companies' cybersecurity challenges and concerns, providing consultation on response policies, and offering support tailored to each company's circumstances.

Second, they will provide appropriate solution proposals leveraging the expertise of affiliated companies to address specific challenges identified during regular consulting services. They will realize optimal proposals for each customer through careful comparison of diverse solutions from the customer's perspective.

In the future, in addition to the accompaniment-style support services, they plan to expand their services further, including security education and training for management and employees, and supply chain measure support in collaboration with large enterprises.

SMBC CyberFront will contribute to Japan's regrowth by supporting the implementation of appropriate cybersecurity measures across Japanese businesses while staying close to customers as a bridge between management and specialized departments.

Philanthropy

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group launched Philanthropy Advisory Services in November 2024, with the aim of supporting the realization of customers' aspirations and execution of donations aimed at contributing to society and solving social issues. In order to further support those customer needs, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation and SMBC Trust Bank have launched Grantee Introduction Services.

Grantee Introduction Services aim to increase fund flows for activities that address and solve social issues and thus deliver a more sustainable society. A new service as a financial institution, it connects customers, primarily affluent individuals with a high interest in such activities, with NPOs, public interest corporations, and educational institutions that support the foundation of education in Japan. SMBC Nikko Securities is also in the process of introducing the services in due course.

Furthermore, the SMBC Group Foundation, established as one of the grant recipients in the Grantee Introduction Services, has received a recommendation of certification from the Public Interest Certification Committee of the Cabinet Office. Based on this recommendation, the Cabinet Office is expected to issue a certification, allowing the SMBC Group Foundation to commence activities as a public interest incorporated foundation from April. By utilizing this foundation, SMBC Group aims to offer customers an alternative to the burden of establishing and managing their own foundation, while also realizing the establishment and management of tailor-made, donor-advised funds that align with the individual aspirations of donors, thereby supporting customers' activities aimed at addressing and solving social issues.

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