The national cyber-security agency recently announced a new malware detection and alert system to reduce the impact of threats for organisations.
CyberSecurity Malaysia, which falls under the purview of the communications and multimedia ministry, said the Coordinated Malware Eradication and Remediation Platform (CMERP) was developed locally through public-private collaboration.
It uses smart security features to automatically detect and warn of cyber threats as well as to mitigate them.
CMERP was piloted at the Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka research centre before being rolled out commercially.
The Chairman of CyberSecurity Malaysia stated that CMERP could help bolster defences for corporations and organisations in a period of advancing cyber threats.
Cyber threats and attacks know no boundaries, he noted. It is therefore important that to pool resources and bolster collective defences against common threats, he said in his opening speech at the CyberSecurity Malaysia: Awards, Conference & Exhibition.
Strengthening Malaysia’s Cybersecurity Measures
- OpenGov Asia reported earlier that Malaysia’s cybersecurity measures must constantly be refined and strengthened, in line with the advent of the ever-changing and complex digital age.
- As such, more attention should be paid to the development of the field through more funds allocated in the 2020 Budget which will be tabled soon.
- The CEO of CyberSecurity Malaysia noted that the government should provide appropriate funding to encourage the development of a broader sector including protection technology, system governance and human-development capabilities.
- The technological advancement of technology and the capabilities of its protection system must move in tandem to counteract the attacks and threats to the technology.
- The risk is very high if the focus is only on the development of digital technology without increasing the protection of the technology itself.
- In the context of the digital world, one must always be prepared for the ever-increasing cyber-threat, hopefully, this budget, the focus can be given to the cybersecurity industry.
- Many of the initiatives and policies introduced by the government are now based on digitisation including an online management system that requires multi-layered protection features.
- Through the funds provided, various efforts to develop the sector could be implemented including research and development (R&D) activities and the provision of more sophisticated cyber protection systems.
Cybersecurity is Crucial for a Flourishing Digital Economy
According to another article, Digital security is crucial in efforts to steer the country towards a digital economy as stated in Budget 2020.
The Executive Director-General of CyberSecurity Malaysia stated that trust and confidence are two key elements that will guarantee consumers’ acceptance of the technology.
As a result of increasing interconnectedness, individuals, governments and companies will be exposed to the threat of cyberattacks, cybersecurity is, therefore, something that both the industry and individual users need.
To help with this, CSM is developing the National Cyber Ethics Initiative together with the Communications and Multimedia Ministry to instill noble values, good conduct, self-discipline and a sense of responsibility among digital technology users.
Cybersecurity must be taken into account when drawing up the framework for the licensing of digital banks which Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) is due to publish by the end of this year.
The concept of digital social responsibility (DSR) is in line with efforts to boost collaboration between the government and private sectors.
Tabling the budget proposals on 11 October 2019, the nation’s Finance Minister announced various initiatives and incentives for the development of digital applications, digital companies, and digital Malaysians.
So, amid rising concerns about hacks and data breaches across the world, is it evident that it is more critical than ever to fortify and strengthen Malaysia’s cybersecurity ecosystem with strategic initiatives, especially through public-private sector collaborations.
