Industry urged to strengthen cybersecurity preparedness amid growing threats

KUCHING: The industries in the region need to be well-prepared to face the increasing threat of cybersecurity, says Batu Kitang assemblyman Datuk Lo Khere Chiang.

In stating this, Lo stressed the urgency of industry readiness as Sarawak advances towards the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.

“The threat of cyber security is becoming more pressing in our region, and it’s crucial that the industry is well-prepared for it as we embark on the digital economy journey toward PCDS 2030,” he said while speaking at the Hack to Protect: The Future of OT/ICS Cybersecurity Tech Forums, organised by Arc Technologies Sdn Bhd here recently.

Meanwhile, Arc Technologies chief executive officer (CEO) Phong Mai shared alarming global statistics during the forum.

“In Malaysia over 200,000 reported attacks in 2021 resulted in a loss of over RM500 million which have increased 61 percent from 2016 to 2022,” he added.

The Tech Forum aimed to shed light on the pressing cyber security challenges faced by the OT industry and to explore potential measures to safeguard critical infrastructure.

Keynote speakers included Phuong D Nguyen, the founder of ECQ, an offensive security company, and Hubert Heng, Division Manager of ST Engineering.

These industry experts shared insights into proactive cyber defence strategies tailored for OT critical infrastructure.

The invite-only forum garnered participation from 40 professionals representing various industries, who engaged in discussions and raised pertinent questions on the evolving landscape of cyber security in the region.

A special highlight of the forum was the Smart City hacking demonstration, showcasing potential vulnerabilities in city infrastructure.