CYBERJAYA: The Digital Ministry has set up the country's first vehicle forensic laboratory to support investigations on matters ranging from road accidents to cross-border crime such as human trafficking.
Minister Gobind Singh Deo said the laboratory not only improves the country’s technical abilities, but is also in line with the government’s aspirations to improve digital security while stimulating economic growth.
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“This initiative also strengthens Malaysia’s position as a regional leader in the field of automotive digital forensics, proving the government’s commitment to ensuring that the people, economy and national security are protected from increasingly complex digital threats,” he said at the launch on Monday (Sept 8).
Gobind said the detailed data obtained from the laboratory will help investigators with their probes.
“This is a tool that can help us solve problems. I was also informed that there will be cooperation with the relevant authorities, such as the police or the Road Transport Department (JPJ) when there is an accident,” he added.
Gobind said he had instructed Cybersecurity Malaysia to ensure that data privacy laws are upheld in using the laboratory.
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“We have to ensure that data is safely stored. There are data privacy laws and we will not compromise.
“We understand concerns about data privacy and will give emphasis on this aspect,” he added.
According to the ministry, the laboratory has been certified by the Malaysia Book of Records as the first mobile forensic lab in Malaysia.
“This achievement shows Cybersecurity Malaysia’s expertise in cybersecurity and digital forensic matters,” it added.
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The ministry said the laboratory can provide vehicle data retrieval, crash data analysis, dashcam data preservation, speed analysis from video footage, cybersecurity analysis of vehicle systems, and vehicle tracking, among others.
It can also analyse engine control unit (ECU) data and provide technical support after analysing vehicular data.
“Aside from road accidents, the lab can support criminal investigations by the authorities, such as smuggling, human trafficking and cross-border crime using vehicles,” it added.
The public can request laboratory services by e-mail to the Digital Forensics Department (DFD) via dfd@cybersecurity.my.
