IPOH: Perak is strengthening its cybersecurity and data protection measures ahead of the over-RM100mil state Command Centre, expected to begin operations next year.
State communications, multimedia and NGO committee chairman Mohd Azlan Helmi said the strategic signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Cybersecurity Malaysia would ensure the centre had robust data protection systems.
He said the state was currently currently waiting for funds from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), which had already been approved for the construction of the command centre, and implementation of fibreisation in Perak.
“The allocation has been approved and we are waiting for MCMC process to proceed.
“Therefore, when the command centre is eventually completed, it will serve as a place where data from various sources can be collected, integrated and consolidated at the centre,” he told reporters at Stadium Indera Mulia here Tuesday (Oct 6).
He said this after witnessing the signing of two MOUs, one between Digital Perak Corporation Holdings and CyberSecurity Malaysia, and the second with Novus Transact Malaysia Sdn Bhd, focusing primarily on cybersecurity and the growth of micro, small and medium enterprises.
Mohd Azlan said that when talking about data, it needed strong resilience and security.
“Therefore, it is timely that Digital Perak, which is responsible for ICT and related matters for the state, has entered into this MOU.
“We can start building our cybersecurity resilience now.
“We do not have to wait until the command centre is completed before we start doing this. We are already making preparations from now,” he added.
He said the command centre would not focus solely on natural disasters.
“It is multipurpose, and different from command centres in other states.
“We have several elements incorporated into it. In fact, there are about six or seven elements,” he added
He also said the state government believed that once it had the command centre, it would also need a place to process the data.
“Digital Perak is currently preparing a paper on this, and we are looking at establishing what we call the Perak Research and Innovation Centre.
“This centre will effectively become the 'brain' of the command centre, processing the data so that it can eventually be accessed by the Mentri Besar, state executive councillors, and other stakeholders to obtain whatever data they require.
“There will also be a strong AI element, and it will not merely collect and analyse data, but will also help the state government make more accurate assessments and better decisions,” he added.
