Latest news with #NationalCyberSecurityAgency


New Straits Times
a day ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Gobind: Malaysia must act now to plug cybersecurity gaps
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia must urgently address gaps in policy, tools, talent, and cross-border enforcement to strengthen its cybersecurity resilience and manage varying levels of readiness across organisations and nations, Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo said. He said the world is becoming increasingly interconnected, with daily life now deeply tied to digital platforms such as communication, shopping, and accessing public services. He added that for digital transformation to truly flourish, trust is a fundamental element that cannot be overlooked. "Digital trust is the unwavering confidence we place in our digital systems, technologies, and transactions," he said in his speech at the Asean 5G and OT Security Summit (5GOT) 2025 here today. "We believe they are secure, private, and reliable. It is the invisible yet powerful force that underpins our digital interactions. However, many have taken our systems, technologies, and transactions for granted." Gobind said society's growing reliance on conducting transactions online has encouraged bad actors to exploit this digital presence. He highlighted an alarming surge in cyberattacks affecting all layers of society, from individuals to organisations, across sectors and sizes. "We read and hear about Malaysians falling victim to online scams, fake investment schemes, and phishing attacks. "According to CyberSecurity Malaysia, there were more than 6,000 reported cyber incidents in 2024, mainly involving fraud, intrusions, and malicious codes. "Malaysia incurred over RM1.22 billion in financial losses due to cybercrime over the past year. "But such incidents are not unique to Malaysia. The world faces this massive threat as well, resulting in trillions of dollars in losses annually," he said. Gobind also said the consequences of cyberattacks go far beyond financial losses, as they damage reputations, compromise privacy, destroy property, eliminate opportunities, and in some cases, even endanger lives. He added that attacks on operational technology, which powers automation in factories, manages patient care in hospitals, and runs critical infrastructure such as energy grids and water treatment facilities, are increasingly being targeted by sophisticated threat actors. Nevertheless, Gobind said Malaysia has taken decisive steps to strengthen its cybersecurity landscape over the past years. He highlighted that the Cyber Security Act 2024, which came into force on Aug 26 last year, empowers the National Cyber Security Agency to oversee compliance, coordinate across sectors, and protect the country's National Critical Information Infrastructures. He also said a new Cybercrime Bill, set to be tabled in Parliament this October, aims to replace outdated legislation and equip authorities with the tools needed to combat modern cyber threats effectively. Furthermore, Gobind said Malaysia is expanding its global footprint, noting that the Cabinet has approved accession to the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime. "The country is also preparing to sign the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime in Hanoi this October. "These actions reflect Malaysia's commitment to international norms and collaborative efforts in addressing cybercrime. "As such, platforms such as 5GOT must be leveraged to accelerate progress through expert engagement, knowledge sharing, collaboration, and exposure to emerging technologies," he said. Gobind also said the government aims to build a regional cyber ecosystem through public-private partnerships that foster innovation and talent development. He added that the government hopes to raise awareness and a sense of urgency among key stakeholders in securing the country's digital future.


Qatar Tribune
3 days ago
- Qatar Tribune
NCSA opens summer camp to equip youngsters with cybersecurity skills
Tribune News Network Doha The National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA), through its National Cyber Security Academy, on Sunday announced the launch of the second edition of the Cyber Security Youth Summer Camp 2025. The camp will run until August 8, 2025 in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education and the Ministry of Sports and Youth. The camp is one of the key national initiatives under the National Cyber Security Academy. It aims to identify and empower talented youth aged 13 to 17, equipping them with the fundamental knowledge and practical skills in cybersecurity through a comprehensive and educational experience. This year's camp will host approximately 400 students. Speaking on the occasion, Dalal Al Aqeedi, assistant director of Cyber security Policies and Strategies Department, said: 'This camp reflects the vision of theNational Cyber Security Agency to attract and empower a new generation of skilled individuals capable of protecting our digital space and strengthening our national cyber security capabilities.' She added, 'This initiative is part of a boarder strategy to enhance digital awareness and cultivate a cybersecurity culture across society, especially among the youth, to ensure that the future generations are well equipped to face cyber challenges with confidence and competence.' Fawaz Al Musaifri, director of the Youth Affairs Department at the Ministry of Sports and Youth, stressed the importance of cooperation with the National Cyber Security Agency in organising such qualitative initiatives, which directly contribute to achieving the ministry's strategy to empower youth, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030 and the Qatar National Youth Policy, especially in the areas of youth, education and information technology, and social media. The camp targets students from both public and private schools in Qatar, in two batches. Activities will be held at Qatar Secondary School for Science and Technology for Boys, with each batch attending for 10 days. Participants will take part in a dynamic programme that includes theoretical lectures, practical training, and interactive workshops, in addition to educational field trips, all under the supervision of certified cybersecurity experts. The National Cyber Security Academy will award participants with accredited attendance and professional certificates, such as the eJPT, while also providing career guidance and support forfuture technical pathways.


Qatar Tribune
08-07-2025
- General
- Qatar Tribune
NCSA's Cybersecurity Curriculum Project wins WSIS 2025 Award
Tribune News Network Doha The Cybersecurity Curriculum Project of the National Cyber Security Agency, has won the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) 2025 Prize in the category 'ALC10: Ethical Dimensions of the Information Society'. The award was received on Monday by Abdulla Al Sayed, advisor to the President of the National Cyber Security Agency, during the official ceremony held in Geneva, Switzerland. On this occasion, Al Sayed, emphasized that winning the first place is the result of the agency's continuous and dedicated efforts to enhance individual cyber capabilities and strengthen the stability of cyberspace across all segments of society. He added 'Through the Cybersecurity Curriculum Project, we aim to build a cyber safe society where all members possess the awareness needed to encounter future challenges that accompany the rapid technological advancement, positioning Qatar as a global leader in the cybersecurity landscape.' He extended his sincere appreciation to the Ministry of Education & Higher Education and the entire team behind the Cybersecurity Curriculum Project. Dalal Al Aqeedi, assistant director of Cyber Security Strategies & Policies Department at the National Cyber Security Agency, stated that this global award marks a significant achievement. The project passed through various competitive stages, alongside five other global projects, receiving more than 15000 votes. During the 2024-2025 academic year, the Cybersecurity Curriculum Project was implemented in 214 government school, 178 private school, 39 community school, 2 schools for students with special needs and 500 parents. The project included delivering cybersecurity awareness content to more than 280,000 student and delivering training workshops for 353 teachers. The project has also achieved significant outcomes, including fundamentals of safe browsing, personal data protection, online risks and malware, digital safety and cybersecurity fundamentals, as well as general awareness on the negative digital behaviours such as internet addiction. The Cybersecurity Curriculum Project has earned several recognitions, including the Cybersecurity Education Excellence Award from the Swiss Cybersecurity Institute. It was also featured in the UNESCO Global Education Monitoring Report, and recognized during the International Day for Education under HundrED Institute. The project is designed to achieve a set of objectives, including raising awareness among the general public, especially children and youths, about the concept of digital citizenship, which entails the responsible, ethical, and safe use of Information & Communication Technology.


The Star
08-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Cybersecurity Summit 2025 to tackle digital threats
INDUSTRY leaders, policymakers, and IT and business professionals are invited to attend the Cybersecurity Summit 2025, taking place on July 24 at Pullman Kuala Lumpur City Centre. This one‑day conference is dedicated to exploring the critical challenges and opportunities in safeguarding Malaysia's digital economy. Under the theme 'Securing Malaysia's Digital Future', the summit will bring together senior government officials, industry experts and business stakeholders to examine emerging cyber threats, evolving compliance frameworks and the role of cutting‑edge technologies such as AI in strengthening cybersecurity resilience. Through a mix of keynote presentations, real‑world case studies and interactive panel discussions, attendees will gain practical insights and strategies tailored for organisations of all sizes, underscoring Malaysia's commitment to a secure and innovative digital landscape. The keynote address will be presented by Ir Dr Megat Zuhairy Megat Tajuddin, chief executive of the National Cyber Security Agency (NACSA). Dr Megat has been serving the Malaysian government since 1997 and has vast experience as an engineer in the ICT and telecommunication fields. In the past 26 years, Dr Megat has been actively developing and implementing policy and strategic plans for the Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR4.0) agenda as well as building human capital capacity in innovation and knowledge management. Among other the featured speakers is Dato' Ts Dr Haji Amirudin Abdul Wahab, chief executive officer of CyberSecurity Malaysia. With over 30 years of ICT experience spanning public and private sectors, Dr Amirudin has driven numerous national cybersecurity initiatives and chaired both local and international platforms. In October 2024, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, appointed him to the National Anti‑Financial Crime Centre Advisory Board. Sarbnedhan Sandhu, general manager of Technology Supervision at Securities Commission Malaysia, will explore how organisations can bridge the gap between regulatory compliance and real‑world defence. Drawing on supervisory assessments and local case studies, his session will unpack why these gaps persist and offer actionable steps to operationalise security controls in alignment with Malaysia's national cybersecurity priorities. Sarbnedhan is a seasoned technology and cybersecurity professional with over two decades of experience. As general manager at the Securities Commission Malaysia, he plays a key role in driving the technology and cybersecurity agenda across the capital market industry. From Hong Kong, Dr Darron Sun, head of Information Technology at the Hong Kong Housing Society, will present 'Safeguarding Tomorrow's Landscape: Generative AI Risk Mitigation and Governance Frameworks.' A World CIO 200 Global Champion (2024), Dr Sun brings extensive expertise in IT management, fintech, proptech, cybersecurity and internal audit. He will share proven approaches for embedding governance and controls into AI‑driven systems, ensuring both innovation and security. Moderating the panel discussion on 'Digital Trust & Resilience: Strengthening Cyber Confidence in Malaysia' is Jaco Benadie, Partner, Technology Consulting – Cyber in Ernst & Young Consulting Sdn Bhd. As the leader of EY ASEAN's OT Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence, Jaco is renowned for his commitment to excellence and his innovative approach to advancing cybersecurity measures. He is widely recognised as a leading authority in the energy sector's cybersecurity, ensuring that key industry players maintain secure and resilient operations. The summit's full line-up features thought leaders across government, finance, technology and critical infrastructure – each offering unique perspectives on threat intelligence, digital trust, governance and more. Participants will also enjoy dedicated networking sessions, enabling collaboration with peers and solution providers. The Cybersecurity Summit 2025 is fully HRD Corp‑claimable, with group rates starting at RM888 and standard registration at RM1,199. Don't miss this opportunity to equip your organisation with the insights and connections needed to secure Malaysia's digital future. Visit to register today.


Qatar Tribune
07-07-2025
- Qatar Tribune
Qatar wins 2025 WSIS Prize for its Cyber Security Curriculum Project
Tribune News Network Doha Qatar, represented by the National Cyber Security Agency, has been awarded the 2025 World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Prize for its 'Cyber Security Curriculum Project.' The recognition was granted in the ALC10 category: Ethical Dimensions of the Information Society, organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in cooperation with the Swiss Confederation.