Kuala lumpur: Digital sovereignty is the foundation of energy security, as ASEAN’s power systems undergo rapid digitalisation driven by the integration of smart grids, renewable energy, and data-driven technologies.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, digital experts have highlighted that as the region advances towards a more connected and intelligent energy infrastructure, protecting digital assets has become just as crucial as safeguarding physical ones. Gamuda DNEX Cloud chief executive officer Muhammad Ashraff Ismail stated that digital sovereignty has become a strategic imperative to strengthen trust, safeguard national interests, and ensure economic stability.
“Trust is everything. Trust in reliability, national security, and also in economic security. By having a sovereign system that only belongs to an organisation, you can ensure peace of mind to the people and also to the businesses in Malaysia,” he said during a panel session themed ‘Digital Innovation for Energy Transition’ at the ASEAN Energy Business Forum 2025 (AEBF-25) here today. The session was moderated by Gamuda Bhd’s special officer to the group chief digital officer, Sachdave Singh.
Muhammad Ashraff emphasized the importance of maintaining stable operations and uninterrupted services to ensure reliability, while national security requires safeguarding energy and digital infrastructure from external or internal disruptions. “When these two pillars are strong, economic security will naturally follow. Investors will view the country as stable, supported by a solid digital and energy infrastructure,” he added.
He further stressed that digital sovereignty is no longer an option but a necessity to ensure the nation’s resilience in the digital era. Meanwhile, Gamuda DNeX Cloud cybersecurity and program delivery head Ramana Ramakrishna noted that the energy sector plays an integral role in achieving these goals, as it underpins all other industries, including healthcare, transportation, and public services.
Ramana pointed out the cascading effect of the energy sector on all aspects of national life and public trust. “To maintain this trust, the sector must be safe, resilient, and always available,” he said. He added that maintaining the effectiveness of power plants and grids requires a strong national framework and resilient public infrastructure capable of withstanding all forms of threats.
He highlighted the expansion in the energy sector, with new grids, solar plants, and increased virtual resource availability across the country, which also increases the attack surface, exposing the sector to a higher risk of cyber threats.