Bangkok: As ASEAN nations continue to embrace digital transformation, cybersecurity has become a pressing concern. With more people and businesses online, the risks of cyber threats like hacking and online fraud are growing in both frequency and complexity. These threats often transcend borders, making it harder to address them individually.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, in recent years, cyberattacks have targeted critical sectors such as infrastructure, financial institutions, and individuals, posing significant challenges to governments, businesses, and citizens alike. This underscores the urgent need for stronger cybersecurity measures across the region.
Recognising these risks, ASEAN countries are intensifying efforts to enhance their cybersecurity frameworks and foster greater regional cooperation. By strengthening collective defences, ASEAN aims to safeguard both national and regional security in an increasingly digital world.
Permanent Representative of Malaysia to ASEAN in Jakarta, Indonesia, Datin Sarah Al Bakri Devadason, highlighted the borderless nature of cyberspace and the digital economy, which has given rise to numerous cybersecurity threats, posing a significant challenge for ASEAN nations. “These threats manifest in various forms, including job scams and online fraud. While these may seem minor in comparison, more severe risks include cyberattacks targeting government institutions,” she noted in an exclusive interview with Bernama at the ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation (ASEAN-IPR) Regional Conference on Cybersecurity in Bangkok, Thailand.
The three-day conference, organised by ASEAN-IPR with support from the ASEAN-Korea Cooperation Fund (AKCF), provided a platform to address cybersecurity challenges comprehensively, exploring both its potential to trigger conflicts and its role in conflict resolution. Sarah emphasized the importance of cybersecurity cooperation as ASEAN advances toward greater political stability and social integration.
ASEAN is making concerted efforts through initiatives like the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, which focuses on key pillars: political, security, economic, social, and cultural. Sarah noted that ASEAN maintains partnerships with 11 dialogue partners, as well as sectoral and development partners, all contributing to a more coordinated response to cyber threats.
Beyond government collaboration, ASEAN engages with the private sector, including ongoing partnerships with companies like Google on digital literacy and Artificial Intelligence (AI) literacy. These partnerships are part of broader efforts to strengthen digital resilience and educate the public on cybersecurity challenges.
In Malaysia, significant progress is being made in cybersecurity efforts and digital literacy initiatives. The Communications Ministry is playing a proactive role in strengthening online safety. Sarah emphasized the importance of ongoing collaborations to enhance the security of government IT systems and educate the public on online scams and cyber risks.
Lee Jang Keun, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to ASEAN, underscored that cybersecurity is not just a regional concern but a global issue. With ASEAN’s digital market transactions expected to reach US$1 trillion by 2030, ensuring cybersecurity is increasingly crucial. South Korea is committed to supporting ASEAN’s efforts in securing cyberspace and addressing emerging challenges together.
ASEAN has developed a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy built on five key pillars, including governance and capacity building. As part of ongoing collaborations, the ASEAN Cyber Shield (ACS) hacking contest, initiated in 2023, has provided a platform for young participants from all ASEAN countries to hone their cybersecurity skills in a controlled environment.
The ASEAN cybersecurity initiatives reflect a growing recognition of the need for regional and global cooperation in addressing the complex challenges posed by the digital age. As technology continues to advance, ASEAN’s commitment to enhancing cybersecurity frameworks aims to ensure a secure and resilient digital future for its member states.