OpenAI gets AI security boost with SoftBank Japan deployment

SoftBank Group deployed OpenAI's AI-driven patching service, Patching as a Service (PaaS), to bolster cybersecurity for critical infrastructure firms in Japan. The service, powered by OpenAI's Codex Security, identified 10,500 vulnerabilities across SoftBank's internal systems. SoftBank, which invested billions in OpenAI and backs its Stargate data center project, aims to defend against AI-powered cyberattacks.

Japanese giant SoftBank Group gave a big thumbs up to OpenAI's security capabilities with the implementation of an AI-driven patching service. SoftBank's "Patching as a Service" PaaS is underpinned by a joint venture with OpenAI formed in late 2025 as SB OAI Japan. The solution aims to support clients with vulnerability assessments through AI-infused remediation planning and implementation advisory. A presentation deck seemed to suggest a target of 3,000 critical infrastructure firms. In another deck, SoftBank revealed it suffered 300 million reconnaissance intrusions monthly in 2025, with 60,000 intrusion attempts and 2,800 distributed denial of service attacks per month. With its internal tests of the PaaS service, SoftBank claimed to have found 10,500 vulnerabilities across 700 of its internally managed systems. 4,000 were marked as remediations. OpenAI's Codex Security was highlighted in the workflow, with which OpenAI is touting its Daybreak security program https://www.sdxcentral.com/news/openai-merges-shift-left-security-and-frontier-ai-with-daybreak/ , the AI vendor's response to Anthropic's much-bandied Mythos and Project Glasswing efforts. https://www.sdxcentral.com/news/anthropic-bug-hunter-launched-with-all-star-cast-and-good-old-us-patriotism/ Daybreak was not mentioned in SoftBank's announcement, and SoftBank is not currently publicly listed as a member of the program. Current members of the program such as Cisco, Oracle, and Palo Alto Networks, appear to be U.S. or Israel headquartered. SoftBank though remains very much Team OpenAI, having invested billions into the firm https://group.softbank/en/news/press/20250401 through its Vision Fund. It's also a firm backer of OpenAI's Stargate data center build out https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/news/softbank-races-to-find-225bn-to-pay-openai-report/ , with SoftBank's CEO Masayoshi Son chairman of the initiative. Through SB OAI Japan, the firms also market enterprise AI package Crystal Intelligence https://www.softbank.jp/en/corp/news/press/sbkk/2026/20260206 01 , which aims to develop AI agents for firms in the country. Commenting on the new PaaS service, Son commented: “Attempted cyberattacks powered by advanced AI will become widespread. We're determined to defend against them by using state-of-the-art AI.” “AI is transforming cybersecurity, and we’re focused on building durable programs that help it accelerate defenders. We’re excited to work with SoftBank to deliver the transformational benefits of our cyber models to more organizations in Japan and strengthen the systems all of us rely on,” added Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI.