Cyberattacks are increasing across the world, as criminals are continuously scanning, and adapting quickly to the latest technologies.
Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo said to combat cyber threats effectively, it is important to foster a culture of collaboration across nations, sectors, and disciplines.
He said this is especially so for entities that operate in critical infrastructure sectors, and digital platforms.
Speaking at the signing of the Collaboration Agreement between Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB) and CyberSecurity Malaysia (CSM) at The Exchange 106 in Kuala Lumpur, this morning, Gobind said 5G is part of Malaysia’s Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) sector, as the network plays an important role in enabling vital services to the country.
“The digital space has become an integral part of our daily lives, driving innovation, economic growth, and societal progress. However, these advancements bring with them significant challenges, particularly in the realm of cybersecurity,” said Gobind.
“Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility that necessitates the pooling of resources, intelligence, and expertise. By strengthening alliances and partnerships, we can enhance our collective ability to detect, prevent, and respond to cyber threats.”
Gobind said as cyber threats are not constrained by borders, they are a global issue requiring a concerted and collaborative response.
“The complexities and sophistication of cyberattacks have grown exponentially, posing risks to our national security, economic stability, and public safety,” he said.
The minister said DNB and CSM, both of which are agencies under his ministry, have the same interests – to secure the digital landscape, including 5G, from cyber threats.
The two entities, along with other key agencies such as the Personal Data Protection Department, have collaborated on cybersecurity-related matters since the beginning of the 5G rollout in the country.
“With Malaysia’s 5G network having achieved more than 81.8 per cent coverage of populated areas, both DNB and CSM acknowledge the importance of having a formalised cybersecurity collaboration to strengthen our nation’s digital landscape.
“This partnership entails the development of 5G security guidelines, which will be utilised as a fundamental requirement for the industry, and serve as a guiding principle for future 5G security baseline.”
Gobind added this partnership will also see the establishment of a 5G Cyber Security Testing Centre, as well as the exchange of threat intelligence between the two entities, to further strengthen the nation’s cyber defensive capabilities.
