THE cyberattack that crippled the Flexi Parking platform across 48 local authorities should serve as a wake-up call for organisations managing critical digital services, cybersecurity experts say.
Fong Choong Fook (pic), chief executive officer of a cybersecurity firm, said the incident emphasised the need for stronger preventive cybersecurity measures as cybercriminals today targeted organisations across every sector.
“Hackers no longer care what industry you are in.
“They attack anyone they can compromise.”
He said organisations operating digital systems must continuously strengthen their security measures to keep pace with evolving threats.
“There are many technologies available today to reduce the risk of cyberattacks,” he said.
“Cybersecurity is no longer just about responding after an incident.
“The focus must be on preventing attacks,” he emphasised.
“Among the measures available are web application firewalls, intrusion prevention systems, security operations centres, security information and event management (SIEM) systems, and integrity monitoring tools that can detect suspicious activity before it escalates into a major breach.”
On the Flexi Parking incident, Fong said authorities had yet to release technical details.
“We need to wait for the investigation findings and for the authorities to explain what actually happened. It is important not to speculate.”
However, he said cyberattacks rarely occurred overnight.
“In most cases, attackers first conduct reconnaissance to identify weaknesses.
“If those early warning signs go undetected, they have time to infiltrate a system before eventually compromising it,” he said.
Fong said the disruption also highlighted the risks of shared digital platforms if strong safeguards were not in place.
“When a centralised system is used by many organisations, a single weakness can affect multiple locations at the same time.”
He said the incident reinforced the importance of continuous monitoring, regular security assessments and sustained investment in preventive cybersecurity measures to reduce the risk and impact of future attacks. — By BAVANI M
