Kuala Lumpur (VNA) - Malaysia is leading the development of the ASEAN Cybersecurity Cooperation Strategy 2026-2030, a forward-looking framework to boost collective cyber resilience in the region, set to be unveiled at the ASEAN Summit in October this year, according to Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Zahid Hamidi.
Addressing the Cyber Defence and Security Exhibition and Conference (CYDES) 2025 on July 1, Zahid said as Chair of ASEAN this year, Malaysia has placed cybersecurity at the heart of the regional agenda. He affirmed that as the nation deepens its global cybersecurity engagement, it is also reinforcing its leadership within the region.
He called for the upcoming ASEAN Cybersecurity Cooperation Strategy to prioritise real-time collaboration among member states in areas such as incident response, digital forensics, secure data sharing, and policy harmonisation.
The Deputy PM stressed that these mechanisms must uphold the principles of confidentiality, sovereignty and mutual trust, which are essential in managing sensitive and transboundary cybersecurity threats.
Zahid also emphasised Malaysia’s strong commitment to strengthening its cybersecurity capabilities, particularly in light of the rapidly evolving threat landscape.
Referencing the Cisco 2025 Cybersecurity Readiness Index, he noted that 93% of organisations experienced artificial intelligence (AI)-driven cyberattacks over the past year, yet only 51% of employees have a clear understanding of such threats.
Building on this, Zahid said Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) continues to play a vital role in producing industry-ready talent and promoting social mobility within the cybersecurity sector.
Themed ‘Advancing Cyber Resilience’, CYDES 2025, which runs until July 3, has brought together 70 international delegations from 20 nations and five global organisations, underscoring international confidence in Malaysia’s efforts to foster a more secure, cooperative, and responsive cybersecurity environment./.
