KUALA LUMPUR: The government is committed to forging more partnerships across the public and private sectors to combat cybercrimes.
Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil said public-private partnerships (PPP) form a synergistic and neutral platform, where cyber security industry players and government can share cyber breach data more quickly and regularly thus empowering a swifter response to a cyber-attack.
"The partnership between government and industry needs to continuously evolve. That means building trust, being open to challenges, sharing data as effectively as possible, and most importantly, having a shared sense of purpose.
"We are actively working with partners from the industry to academia to warn and respond to incidents and offer guidance as well as training to our community to stay safe online," he said in his speech at the Malaysia Cyber Security Awards and Gala Dinner held today.
Present was his deputy Teo Nie Ching, the ministry secretary-general Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa and CyberSecurity Malaysia Board of Directors chairman Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin.
Fahmi said the cooperation can create a formidable defence against cyber adversaries, thereby safeguarding the country's national security and economic well-being.
"The CyberSecurity Malaysia Collaboration Program (CCP) is one good example of public-private partnership initiatives undertaken by CyberSecurity Malaysia.
"It is a strategic collaboration initiative between government entities and the local cyber security industry to encourage local development and innovation of Malaysia's cyber security products and services," he said.
Fahmi added that with so much of our lives now reliant on digital technologies, it is critical to place trust in the systems that connect us.
"We, therefore, need to continue to safeguard our systems and networks and ensure they are resilient to cyber threats.
"CCP also serves to strengthen workforce development to address the current acute skills gap within the cyber security industry in Malaysia.
"Of course, there are many other areas we need to progress together. I truly believe that an emphasis on partnerships, resilience and skills will go a long way in creating a safe cyberspace for all."
Meanwhile, on the Malaysia Cyber Security Awards 2023 finalists, Fahmi said it includes major corporations as well as high-calibre cyber security practitioners from a wide range of industries, each of whom is a deserving winner.
"This reflects the diversity of the cyber ecosystem, each dealing with a broad range of cyber security challenges in their respective roles.
"We need to recognise that only by working together as a team across industry, academia, and government, can we combat cyber threats effectively.
"We will not stand still because technology never does."