BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Two cybersecurity professionals were honoured for their contributions to the sector at the CYSEC Appreciation Night 2025, which also recognised volunteers supporting regional cybersecurity efforts over the past year.
Held at an event hall in the capital recently, the gathering brought together volunteers and industry figures to acknowledge individuals involved in cybersecurity initiatives in 2024 and 2025. Certificates were presented to volunteers in recognition of their continued service and involvement.
Proceedings began with a Doa Selamat followed by brief opening remarks from vice-president of CYSEC, Azizul Hasrin, who thanked volunteers for their commitment and noted their role in strengthening community-level cybersecurity efforts.
The evening’s central focus was the presentation of two awards recognising outstanding contributions to the field.
Zara Laila Cheong received the Top Women in Security Asean Region Award in recognition of her leadership and professional impact within the regional cybersecurity landscape.
Cheong is a cyber security officer and her work focuses on public-facing cybersecurity protection, research exploration and the development of innovative security solutions, including applications involving blockchain technology.
Cheong was also among the contributing authors to The State of Cybersecurity in South-East Asia series, which brings together regional experts to examine efforts by Southeast Asian countries to strengthen their cybersecurity ecosystems and address emerging challenges.
Meanwhile, Azizul Hasrin was awarded the AJCCA Cyber Resilience Award, recognising his work in advancing cybersecurity resilience and capacity-building initiatives.
He received the Asian Cybersecurity Resilience Award 2025 during the Asean–Japan Cybersecurity Community Alliance Annual General Meeting held in Tokyo this year.
Both recipients were celebrated for their leadership, dedication, and significant impact on the cybersecurity industry, reinforcing the importance of diversity, resilience, and innovation in the sector. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN
