PUTRAJAYA: Traditional security measures are no longer enough to protect Malaysia from rapidly evolving cyber threats and borderless digital attacks, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim warned.
"Security is now everyone's responsibility—including families, students, and ordinary citizens—because of evolving threats such as cyberattacks and online misinformation," Anwar said when officiating National Security Month and the National Cyber Security Summit (NCSS) 2026 at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre on Thursday (July 9).
Emphasising a "whole-of-nation" approach, Anwar urged government departments to break down silos and collaborate closely with the private sector. He also highlighted the need for citizens to develop digital literacy, comparing awareness to having a personal "firewall" in every household.
Regionally and globally, Anwar noted that Malaysia is actively strengthening ties with partners like the United States, Türkiye, Australia, Asean members, and particularly Thailand, to address border security, maritime cooperation, artificial intelligence (AI), and drone technologies.
At the event, the Prime Minister launched the National Cryptography Policy (MyKriptografi), its accompanying action plan, and the AI Systems Cybersecurity Framework (AISCF).
He also witnessed the exchange of Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) between the National Cyber Security Agency (NACSA) and tech giants Huawei Technologies (Malaysia) and IBM (Malaysia), alongside the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
Earlier, National Security Council Director-General Datuk Raja Nurshirwan Zainal Abidin remarked that national security has evolved far beyond physical defence, requiring constant adaptation to technological advancements.
Held biennially every July to commemorate the establishment of the Security Council on July 7, 1971, this year's National Security Month is themed "Strengthening Sovereign Resilience." The accompanying two-day NCSS 2026 summit has drawn over 6,000 participants, including 500 international dignitaries and 50 speakers.
