KUALA LUMPUR, March 13 — As Asean nations continue to embrace digital transformation, cybersecurity has become a pressing concern.
With more people and businesses online, the risks of cyber threats like hacking and online fraud are growing in both frequency and complexity. These threats often transcend borders, making it harder to address them individually.
Permanent Representative of Malaysia to Asean in Jakarta, Indonesia, Datin Sarah Al Bakri Devadason, said the borderless nature of cyberspace and the digital economy has given rise to numerous cybersecurity threats, posing a significant challenge for Asean nations.
“These threats manifest in various forms, including job scams and online fraud. While these may seem minor in comparison, more severe risks include cyberattacks targeting government institutions.
“For example, critical sectors like air travel security are particularly vulnerable in today’s technologically advanced world. Recognising and understanding these cyber threats is essential to strengthening our cybersecurity capabilities and addressing vulnerabilities.
"When it comes to financial institutions, we frequently hear about cases of funds being siphoned off and breaches in banking security systems," she told Bernama in an exclusive interview at the ‘Asean Institute for Peace and Reconciliation (Asean-IPR) Regional Conference on Cybersecurity and the Role of Information Technology in Fostering a Culture of Peace in Asean’, in Bangkok, Thailand recently.
The three-day conference, held from February 24, was organised by Asean-IPR with support from the Asean-Korea Cooperation Fund (AKCF).
“Asean is working towards a more cohesive and interconnected community. Cyber cooperation efforts have been ongoing, but with the rapid advancement of technology, the need to strengthen cybersecurity measures has become even more critical," Sarah said, adding that the recently adopted United Nations Convention against Cybercrime marks a significant global milestone in addressing cyber threats worldwide.
Aside from initiatives like the Asean Community Vision 2045, which focuses on political, security, economic, social and cultural pillars, there is also the Asean Connectivity Strategic Plan.
She emphasised that information sharing is key to strengthening Asean’s cybersecurity framework. “By exchanging knowledge and best practices, Asean can develop a more robust approach to addressing global cyber challenges.”
Beyond government collaboration, Asean also engages with the private sector, including ongoing partnerships with companies like Google on digital literacy and Artificial Intelligence (AI) literacy.
“The more we educate and empower our people, the more resilient we become in tackling cyber challenges. Our partnerships, such as those with Google, are part of these efforts to strengthen digital resilience,” she said.
Acknowledging that Malaysia is making significant progress in its cybersecurity efforts and digital literacy initiatives, Sarah highlighted the Communications Ministry's proactive role in strengthening online safety.
Malaysia’s digital literacy is relatively advanced, she said, citing the gaming industry as an example. "We see this in the gaming world, where many Malaysian gamers and students, including local universities are excelling at an international level.
She also emphasised the growing interest in digital skills among the younger generation.
"Many young Malaysians are actively training in this field, and in many families, we even see grandparents learning from the younger generation. However, while fostering digital growth, we must also ensure a safe online environment for our people. The Malaysian government is actively collaborating with various organisations to achieve this," she said.
— Bernama
