NEC Corporation (Thailand), the local unit of the Tokyo-based ICT solutions firm, has formed a new cybersecurity business unit in a bid to cash in on the increasing threat of cyberattacks on users of fourth-generation (4G) technology.
The new business is expected to create another revenue stream for the company, said Hiroshi Sato, president of NEC Corporation (Thailand).
Thailand ranks among the world's top 10 countries for sources of cyberattacks.
In 2013, the country was among the top three countries for targeted attacks.
"Thailand is the second country in Southeast Asia in which NEC has set up a cybersecurity unit after Singapore, in addition to our global portfolio of security operation centres," Mr Sato said.
The arrival of 4G technology is expected to lead to the proliferation of mobile devices and the Internet of Things, or machine-to-machine communication. This has raised concerns over the growth and sophistication of cybersecurity threats.
Mr Sato said NEC planned to launch its cybersecurity service by April, with the aim of becoming one of the top three cybersecurity companies in terms of customers in the Thai market within three to five years.
Globally, NEC expects revenue of ¥26 billion (7.99 billion baht) for fiscal 2017 ending March 31, 2018.
NEC last month opened a cybersecurity plant in Singapore providing an interconnected network to share intelligence on cyberthreats and deliver around-the-clock security to customers.
Artiphot Ketkeaw, assistant vice-president of the business network solutions division, said there are around 1.5 million cyberattacks globally per day.
One in five internet users globally faces being targeted by a cyberattack due to the rise of social media and mobile internet usage.
Mr Artiphot said the Thailand Computer Emergency Response Team found that the country's top four cybersecurity threats from 2011-14 were fraud, malicious codes, intrusions and attempted intrusions.
NEC plans to provide cybersecurity services ranging from 24-hour security monitoring systems, vulnerability assessments, penetration testing and design consulting.
The company will target its existing 3,000 customers in Thailand.