CyberSecurity Malaysia (CSM), an agency under the Ministry of Digital, will set up the Malaysia Cyber Security Academy.
As announced by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi on Sept 23, the establishment of the academy is in line with the ministry’s aspiration of creating more skilled talents in the digital sphere, especially in the area of cyber security.
The national academy is expected to begin operations in the second quarter of 2025.
Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo said the new academy will play an important role in addressing the shortage in the cyber security field by offering technical and vocational education and training (TVET) courses.
“It will also serve as a cyber security capacity building centre that will conduct expertise evaluations, streamline research and continuously develop cyber security capabilities, and strengthen the efficacy of the nation’s cyber security measures in tackling threats and intrusions,” Gobind said, in a statement yesterday.
“The Academy will develop world-class TVET cyber security talents, transforming Malaysia into a global cyber security hub; promote ethical values in cyber security to instil self-discipline of individuals against cyber threats and establish marketing strategies and accreditation programmes to forge international collaborations.”
He added the academy will serve as a premier TVET cyber security capacity-building centre, targeted at civil servants, industry, and academia. It will offer short- and middle-term certified courses, including micro-credential and nano-credential programmes. It can also customise cyber security courses for universities, polytechnics and local colleges.
Malaysia needs up to 26,430 cyber security personnel by end-2025, and that figure is expected to rise to 28,068 the following year. This is based on research carried out by CSM, the Department of Skills Development, and the Centre for Instructor and Advanced Skill Training in 2023. According to CSM, there are 16,765 cyber security personnel in Malaysia as at July 2024.
The academy will focus on critical areas such as incident handling and response; cyber security governance; security assurance and assessment; digital forensics; and cryptography.
“As the leader in the national cyber security capacity development, CSM will transform the existing Cybersecurity Professional Development programme into the Malaysia Cyber Security Academy,” Gobind added.
