Dragos has appointed Kaori Nieda as its first Country Manager for Japan, marking a strategic move to advance operational technology (OT) cybersecurity adoption in the region. The announcement was issued on April 1, 2026, by Dragos, a US-based OT cybersecurity company, from its Hanover, Maryland headquarters. Nieda will lead efforts to extend Dragos's protection for industrial and critical infrastructure entities across Japan, building on the partnership with distributor Macnica[1].
Background
Japan maintains a stringent cybersecurity regulatory environment for critical infrastructure. Regulatory measures such as the Act on Promotion of Economic Security, which mandates pre-implementation reviews for critical sectors including electricity and gas, highlight the escalating need for robust OT cybersecurity solutions[2]. Dragos entered the Japanese market in mid-2023 through an agency agreement with Macnica, distributor of the Dragos Platform and Neighborhood Keeper collective defense service[2].
Details
Dragos describes Nieda as an experienced cybersecurity executive, with over two decades in threat intelligence, extended detection and response (XDR), network security, and software-as-a-service (SaaS) security offerings[1]. Her recent role as Country Manager at Amplitude Analytics GK involved reorganizing Japan operations, doubling performance in fiscal 2023, acquiring strategic clients, and restructuring go-to-market and team strategies[1].
Nieda stated she welcomes the position during a pivotal period and noted the complexity of threats facing Japanese industrial and infrastructure sectors, asserting that Dragos's solutions address these needs[1]. Hayley Turner, Dragos's Vice President for Asia-Pacific, emphasized Japan's importance as a rapidly expanding market and commended Nieda's deep sector expertise and leadership record[1].
Japan continues to bolster OT cyber resilience. The Dragos Platform offers visibility into OT and IT assets, vulnerability management, threat detection, and incident response playbooks. The Neighborhood Keeper solution supports anonymous, industry-wide threat intelligence sharing to strengthen collective defense[2].
Outlook
With Nieda leading Dragos in Japan, the company is positioned to accelerate local adoption of OT cybersecurity. Her leadership is expected to emphasize threat intelligence sharing, boost incident response capabilities, and scale talent localization amid complex regulations. Further regional investments and partnerships are anticipated to align with standards such as IEC 62443 and advance IT/OT convergence strategies[1].
