Cross-sector collaboration needed to stop cybercrimes, says Home Minister

KUALA LUMPUR: Cross-sector collaboration is needed at the regional and national level to effectively combat cybercrime, says Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin.

He said such initiatives should include representatives from cybersecurity institutions, government agencies as well as the private sector, from corporations to universities and non-governmental organisations.

"Such collaborative efforts are needed for various initiatives, including performing cyber test-drills at the national and regional level,” said Hamzah.

He added that such cooperation will strengthen the relationship among Asean countries and provide a better understanding on how to handle cyberattacks directed at the South-East Asian region.

"In a study by Google, it was projected that the digital economy in South-East Asia is expected to double to US$363bil (RM1.53 trillion) in 2025, surpassing the previous forecast of US$300bil (RM1.26 trillion).

"As such, Asean countries should continue to strengthen existing cooperation and identify existing gaps to improve and elevate the regional cybersecurity agenda," he said in his keynote speech at the "Working Together Towards The Future of Cyber Security in South-East Asia" conference here.

The speech was read by Home Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Seri Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz on Tuesday (March 29).

The conference is being held during the Defence Services Asia (DSA) and National Security Asia (NATSEC) 2022 exhibitions.

Hamzah said the need for safe and secure cyberspace has become more important than ever.

"We must collectively learn from experience, such as the Estonian cyber attacks in 2007 or the Ukrainian power grid attack in 2015,” he said.

"As we move into a future where smart cities are being built and mission-critical data is being sent across the Internet to databases for real-time tracking, monitoring and response, there is no doubt that cybersecurity must be placed at the forefront of the entire digital ecosystem," he said.

Hamzah added that the digital economy is expected to contribute about 22.6% of Malaysia's gross domestic product (GDP) by 2025.

"As we double down on our efforts to develop into a digitally driven nation, we also need to recognise that cyberthreat actors are lurking on the sidelines waiting to exploit this national strategy,” he said.

"The act of cybercrimes disrupting our digital economic sectors poses a threat to our national wellbeing and must be dealt with at all costs," he added.

Hamzah said that in the Institute of Public Security of Malaysia (IPSOM) book Cybercrimes in Malaysia: Pervasive Impact of the Internet studies have shown that online threats and cyberscams are increasing at alarming rates.

"Almost 70% of commercial crime cases are now categorised as cybercrime cases. The numbers are staggering. The Royal Malaysia Police has recorded reports of losses of RM2.23bil from 2017 to June 2021," he added.

Hamzah said the government continues to make progress in governance and coordination that addresses cybersecurity.

"The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has scored and ranked Malaysia as No. 5 in the Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) 2020 score and it comes in as No. 2 in the Asia Pacific region after Singapore.

"This recognition reflects our commitment to addressing cybersecurity," he said.

Wan Ahmad Dahlan also represented Hamzah in launching the IPSOM book.