IPA will implement security measures that aim to realize an economic society, in which everyone can securely make use of IT. These include:

1. Proactive, comprehensive measures to counter threats to information systems
2. Raising the basic standard of information security among smalland medium-sized enterprises and educating the general population
3. Forging international ties for information security
4. Improving our ability to evaluate technology—an ability that underpins information security measures—and strengthening our analysis capacity
5. Creating an environment in which everyone in society has access to secure products and systems

IPA will supply and promote methods and tools that enable the efficient development of highly reliable software

1. Ensuring the reliability of IT systems by increasing visibility and other engineering methods
2. Offering methods for building systems to suit local areas and SMEs
3. Tie-ups with prominent overseas institutions

IPA will implement measures, centered around the Skill Standards for IT Professionals and Information Technology Engineer Examination, and promote the development of IT human resources

1. Developing talented IT human resources in order to reinforce industrial competitiveness
2. Developing human resources to promote computerization in local regions and among SMEs
3. Adapting human resources to the increasing globalization of IT
4. Identifying and developing outstanding IT human resources and creating a platform on which they can perform

IPA will implement measures to establish an open software infrastructure that reserves interoperability

1. Promoting the use of open software
2. Support for IT venture businesses that bring innovation in SME management
3. Loan guarantee

IPA will conduct ongoing reviews of business management based on the plan-do-check-act cycle in order to improve cost effectiveness, and ensure that the results are reflected in the selection of businesses.

IPA will apply the results of PDCA cycle-based evaluations to help optimize organization control. IPA will strive to improve organization performance by strengthening interdepartmental cooperation and making extensive use of specialist staff from external sources.

IPA will endeavor to bolster its think-tank functions, like collection and dissemination of IT information, and practice strategic communication, such as by holding seminars and ensuring swift announcement of achievements so as to maximize public promotion of achievements.

Based on the Work Process & System Optimization Plan instituted during the first mid-term target term, IPA will continue to optimize and improve the efficiency of its major work processes and systems without compromising internal control.

IPA will strive to reduce general administrative cost of activities, for which grants for operating expenses are received by an average of at least three percent over the previous year, and will aim streamlining of business expenses to a similar degree as well.

As required by law, IPA will endeavor to make a substantial reduction in total personnel costs. The salary paid to titled staff are to be reviewed in line with the overhauling of the national civil service wage structure.

IPA has introduced open bidding and expanded a range of projects to which it applies, and aims to improve efficiency through the adoption of proper contracts. Optional contract will generally be switched to open bidding by the end of FY2008.

In view of the objectives of the government’s administrative reforms and from a perspective of increasing revenues through levying appropriate charges for the benefits of agency services, IPA will begin to levy an appropriate level of fees on clients for services where this does not contravene the objectives of the agency’s business.

IPA will enrich its publication of accounts and segment information in order to improve transparency of the its finances.

IPA will ensure it has a firm grasp of the state of its local software centers’ management, and proactively offer guidance and advice so as to achieve management improvements.