Stronger Agencies Needed As Malaysia Tackles Emerging Digital Threats - Gobind

PUTRAJAYA, April 21 (Bernama) -- Malaysia needs to strengthen its key agencies to better address emerging digital threats, particularly as technologies such as quantum computing evolve rapidly, Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo said.

He said agencies at the forefront of cybersecurity and digital infrastructure, including MYNIC and the National Cyber Security Agency (NACSA), must be reinforced to ensure that industry recommendations and technological safeguards are effectively implemented.

“That is why there is a need for us to strengthen these agencies, particularly those that will be at the forefront in facing these new threats,” he told reporters after attending MYNIC’s ‘Preparing for Tomorrow’s Threat: The Impact of Quantum Computing on Internet Security’ programme held here today.

Gobind said while discussions on technological risks are increasingly frequent, a key challenge lies in translating ideas and proposals into actionable policies, including legislation, governance measures and enforcement mechanisms.

He added that as Malaysia pushes ahead with its AI Nation Vision, which aims for the digital economy to contribute 30 per cent to gross domestic product by 2030, building a secure and resilient digital ecosystem is critical.

“If we are going to ask people to adopt technology, then we must also make sure that ecosystems are built to ensure that it’s safe,” he said, adding that input from industry players, academia and government agencies would be consolidated and brought to the Cabinet level for further action.

However, Gobind noted that efforts to address cybersecurity challenges would be ongoing, as technology continues to evolve.

“It is a work in progress, it’s continuous. Technology will evolve and as we go along, we need to have these discussions,” he said.

He added that the establishment of the Digital Ministry reflects the government’s commitment to coordinating agencies and ensuring that policy discussions translate into sustainable outcomes, supported by expertise and long-term planning.

Meanwhile, today’s programme, organised by MYNIC Bhd - an agency under the Ministry of Digital and the registry for the .MY domain name - brought together about 300 participants, including Domain Name System Security Extensions (DNSSEC) training alumni, industry players and university students.

The programme emphasised the importance of early preparedness for quantum computing, which is expected to have a significant impact on digital security, particularly in the areas of cryptography and data protection.

In this context, the implementation of technologies such as DNSSEC and approaches like Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) is seen as crucial to ensuring the integrity, authenticity and security of the country’s internet systems, while also protecting users from threats such as fraud and data manipulation.

Meanwhile, MYNIC chief executive officer Datuk Hasnul Fadhly Hasan said the agency’s role extends beyond managing domain name registrations, encompassing the responsibility of ensuring the security, stability and reliability of the overall .MY domain name ecosystem.

He said the successful implementation of DNSSEC training and awareness programmes, through strategic collaboration with NACSA, reflects an ongoing commitment to strengthening technical capabilities, governance and strategic cooperation in addressing increasingly complex cybersecurity challenges.

“Initiatives like this not only strengthen the country’s preparedness in facing future technological threats, but also serve as a catalyst for developing talent and digital leadership among the next generation,” he said.

-- BERNAMA