Kuala Lampur:The Perak state government, through Digital Perak Corporation Holdings, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with CyberSecurity Malaysia to enhance cybersecurity and data resilience for the upcoming state command centre.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the initiative is aimed at ensuring the command centre, which is expected to cost over RM100 million and is scheduled to begin operations next year, is supported by a strong data protection system. Mohd Azlan Helmi, State Communications, Multimedia and NGO Committee chairman, highlighted the importance of high-level cybersecurity for the collection and integration of data sources at the centre.

Digital Perak will serve as the primary coordinator for managing operations and data integration, while CyberSecurity Malaysia will offer technical expertise, technology transfer, and advisory services in cybersecurity. This collaboration was formalized at the Perak State Innovation Convention 2026, attended by Digital Perak CEO Mohamad Suhaimi Mohamad Tahir and CSM Management Services Division head Azman Ismail.

The partnership, valued at RM1.5 million, will focus on cybersecurity awareness, training, certification, assessment, and capacity building. It aligns with the state's digital ecosystem goals, as outlined in the Perak Sejahtera 2030 aspiration and the Perak State Digital Economy Action Plan 2030. Over two years, the collaboration will assess the need for Security Operations Centre as a Service and aim to develop enhanced cybersecurity capabilities for 1,000 to 1,500 participants and 15 to 25 organizations across Perak.

Separately, Mohd Azlan mentioned that the state government is drafting guidelines for telecommunications companies to enhance security over their infrastructure, in response to frequent vandalism. Discussions with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission will refine these guidelines, with continued enforcement of Section 235 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 against sabotage and theft of network equipment.

He noted that as of June, there were 310 recorded cases of cable theft and vandalism in Perak, with legal actions initiated for 125 cases and investigations ongoing for 67 others.