ATM reports over 3,600 cyber security incidents from Jan-April 2021

KUALA LUMPUR: More than 3,600 cyber security incidents have been reported by the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) in the first four months of this year, said Chief of Defence Force Gen Tan Sri Affendi Buang.

He said the number was a worrisome quantum for defence planners and practitioners.

"In line with this emerging danger, both the government and the ATM have enhanced their cyber security capacities in predicting, detecting, deterring and responding to this threat.

"Needless to say that the efforts to contain cyber threats are never cheap as the technologies and modus operandi of cyber security breaches develop at a rapid pace, at times exceeding measures taken to counter it," he said in his keynote address at a webinar titled "Is It Safe To Outsource Cyber Security Outside Your Borders?" organised by Defence Services Asia through the Zoom application today.

He added that the Malaysian government had also committed a sum of RM1.8 billion for the transformation of the National Cyber Security Agency (NACSA) to manage cyber threats in accordance with the aspiration under the Malaysia Cyber Security Strategy 2020-2024.

He said NACSA, in the Malaysia Cyber Security Strategy 2020-2024, had indicated that cyber threats would increase significantly.

In this regard, Affendi said the ATM had established the Defence Cyber and Electromagnetic Division in line which the Defence White Paper, as a part of measures to ensure capability in countering cyber threats.

In addition, he said the government and security agencies would also prefer to retain cyber security measures within national boundaries to comply with national cyber security laws and strategies, to enable better control over its environment and infrastructure.

"Needless to mention that the modern cold war is being fought online today in a whole government environment through hybrid warfare. As such, outsourcing cyber security might also expose vulnerabilities in our nation's survival," he added.

-- BERNAMA