Dragos has named Kaori Nieda as its first Country Manager in Japan, effective April 1, 2026. This appointment aims to expand Dragos's operational technology (OT) cybersecurity and incident response services for Japan's industrial and infrastructure sectors. The announcement builds on Dragos's partnership with Macnica, reflecting the company's focus on deeper customer engagement and heightened threat preparedness. Nieda offers more than 20 years of experience in cybersecurity, threat intelligence, and go-to-market strategy in Japan.
Background
Dragos, based in Hanover, Maryland, has operated in Japan through its collaboration with Macnica. Together, they have provided OT cybersecurity awareness and threat intelligence to manufacturers and critical infrastructure operators. Their efforts include delivering guidance on balancing cyber hygiene and operational resilience in OT environments.
Details
Before joining Dragos, Kaori Nieda served as Country Manager at Amplitude Analytics GK. In that role, she reorganized the local operations, doubled fiscal-year 2023 performance, acquired strategic customers, and restructured the go-to-market strategy and team.
Hayley Turner, Dragos's Vice President for Asia Pacific, described Japan as a "critical and fast-growing market," adding that Nieda's industry knowledge will support Dragos's "next growth phase" in the region.
Nieda stated that Japanese industrial and critical infrastructure organizations face an increasingly complex threat landscape. She noted that Dragos's mission and services address these market needs, and expressed interest in working with customers and partners to advance OT cyber resilience in Japan.
Outlook
Nieda's appointment signals a move towards hiring local talent to address rising regulatory expectations for OT security in Japan. It is expected to enhance regional incident response capabilities, boost threat intelligence sharing, and support closer cooperation between global OT vendors and Japanese manufacturers. This shift may prompt other cybersecurity companies to strengthen their local leadership in Japan's critical technology sectors.
