BY JACINTHA JOLENE & ALEXANDRA LORNA
KUCHING: The Sarawak government will be establishing a Cyber Security Unit to provide cybersecurity services and guidance to both the public and private sectors as well as citizens.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said cybersecurity is no longer a technological option, but a real need for society.
“Not only do we have to protect our data, but our critical infrastructure, transport system, utilities, healthcare, manufacturing, retail and finance – in fact, it permeates almost every societal aspect of our daily lives.
“Therefore, we will establish this unit (Cyber Security Unit), which includes addressing solutions for critical infrastructures such as power plants and hospitals, among others.”
Abang Johari said this in his opening speech at the 27th World Congress on Innovation and Technology | 6th International Digital Economy Conference Sarawak (WCIT | IDECS 2023) at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching here on Wednesday (Oct 4).
He added that according to the Europen Union Cybersecurity Report, cybercrime cost the world USD6tril in 2021.
Meanwhile in Malaysia, he said cybercrimes in 2022 cost the nation RM600mil, mostly due to fraud-related cases.
“Although we cannot eliminate it altogether, we have addressed this problem through education for end-users and industries.
“It is also through cultivating a security-conscious approach such as security-by-design and security-by-default, to help mitigate risks at an early stage,” he emphasised.
Also present at the opening ceremony were Penang Chief Minister, Chow Kon Yeow; Deputy Premiers Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian; Sarawak Legislative Assembly Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Asfia Awang Nassar, and State Secretary Datuk Amar Abu Bakar Marzuki, who is also the organising chairman.
