Latest news with #MegatZuhairyMegatTajuddin
The Star
26-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Malaysia faces rising cyber threats as incidents increase
Malaysia is experiencing a more sophisticated and aggressive wave of cyber threats, with 2,366 incidents reported in the first half of 2025, says the National Cyber Security Agency (Nacsa). Nacsa's chief executive Ir Dr Megat Zuhairy Megat Tajuddin, said cyberattacks are no longer solely targeting critical infrastructure or institutions. 'These attacks increasingly target our most vulnerable population, including children, the elderly, and digitally inexperienced users,' he said during his keynote address at the Cybersecurity Summit 2025 on Friday (July 25). Organised by Star Media Group and supported by IDMeta as the bronze sponsor, the summit carried the theme 'Securing Malaysia's Digital Future.' Megat said in 2024, Nacsa's National Cyber Coordination and Command Centre (NC4) recorded 4,626 cybersecurity incidents, a 43% increase from the previous year. 'In the first half of 2025 alone, 2,366 incidents involving National Critical Information Infrastructure (NCII) were reported. 'These figures underscore the urgent need to strengthen national cyber hygiene and awareness,' Megat added. He said cybersecurity is a critical national priority and should no longer be seen as merely a technical issue. 'Today's cyber threats don't simply target systems and software. They exploit something far more human, our trust, our habits, and the gaps between institutions,' Megat said. CyberSecurity Malaysia's chief executive officer, Datuk Ts Dr Amirudin Abdul Wahab, joined the call for stronger safeguards, warning that digitalisation and emerging technologies, while transformative, also introduce new vulnerabilities. 'The more connected we are, the more exposed we become to the threat of cyber attacks,' he said. Amirudin emphasised the need for organisations to go beyond prevention and focus on cyber resilience, which is the ability to respond, recover, and resume operations swiftly after an attack. He also highlighted the importance of building a secure, resilient, and trusted cyber ecosystem through greater collaboration among regulators, industry players, academia, and international stakeholders. Sarbnedhan Singh Sandhu of the Securities Commission Malaysia warned that compliance alone doesn't ensure security. He stressed the need for well-enforced frameworks aligned to business risks, noting that weak controls often lead to breaches. Meanwhile, Securemetric Technology Sdn Bhd managing director Wo Swee Teck said generative artificial intelligence (AI) introduces serious risks. He noted that effective risk mitigation depends on implementing strong cybersecurity measures, enforcing strict privacy safeguards, and ensuring continuous validation of AI models. The one-day event gathered industry experts to address the country's most pressing cybersecurity concerns, including the emerging risks of generative AI, vulnerabilities in operational technology (OT) systems, talent shortages, and the growing importance of digital trust in a hyperconnected world. The summit also showcased actionable strategies, regulatory frameworks, and real-world case studies aimed at enhancing cyber resilience across all sectors. This year's edition featured more than 19 distinguished speakers and attracted over 80 participants, including C-level executives, IT security professionals, regulators, cybercrime investigators, and representatives from sectors such as telecommunications, finance, logistics, and technology startups. Looking ahead, the CloudTech & DataCentre Conference 2.0, scheduled for Aug 6–7, will further explore strategies to position Malaysia as a regional hub for sustainable, high-tech data centres while advancing digital resilience.
The Star
08-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Cybersecurity Summit 2025 to tackle digital threats
INDUSTRY leaders, policymakers, and IT and business professionals are invited to attend the Cybersecurity Summit 2025, taking place on July 24 at Pullman Kuala Lumpur City Centre. This one‑day conference is dedicated to exploring the critical challenges and opportunities in safeguarding Malaysia's digital economy. Under the theme 'Securing Malaysia's Digital Future', the summit will bring together senior government officials, industry experts and business stakeholders to examine emerging cyber threats, evolving compliance frameworks and the role of cutting‑edge technologies such as AI in strengthening cybersecurity resilience. Through a mix of keynote presentations, real‑world case studies and interactive panel discussions, attendees will gain practical insights and strategies tailored for organisations of all sizes, underscoring Malaysia's commitment to a secure and innovative digital landscape. The keynote address will be presented by Ir Dr Megat Zuhairy Megat Tajuddin, chief executive of the National Cyber Security Agency (NACSA). Dr Megat has been serving the Malaysian government since 1997 and has vast experience as an engineer in the ICT and telecommunication fields. In the past 26 years, Dr Megat has been actively developing and implementing policy and strategic plans for the Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR4.0) agenda as well as building human capital capacity in innovation and knowledge management. Among other the featured speakers is Dato' Ts Dr Haji Amirudin Abdul Wahab, chief executive officer of CyberSecurity Malaysia. With over 30 years of ICT experience spanning public and private sectors, Dr Amirudin has driven numerous national cybersecurity initiatives and chaired both local and international platforms. In October 2024, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, appointed him to the National Anti‑Financial Crime Centre Advisory Board. Sarbnedhan Sandhu, general manager of Technology Supervision at Securities Commission Malaysia, will explore how organisations can bridge the gap between regulatory compliance and real‑world defence. Drawing on supervisory assessments and local case studies, his session will unpack why these gaps persist and offer actionable steps to operationalise security controls in alignment with Malaysia's national cybersecurity priorities. Sarbnedhan is a seasoned technology and cybersecurity professional with over two decades of experience. As general manager at the Securities Commission Malaysia, he plays a key role in driving the technology and cybersecurity agenda across the capital market industry. From Hong Kong, Dr Darron Sun, head of Information Technology at the Hong Kong Housing Society, will present 'Safeguarding Tomorrow's Landscape: Generative AI Risk Mitigation and Governance Frameworks.' A World CIO 200 Global Champion (2024), Dr Sun brings extensive expertise in IT management, fintech, proptech, cybersecurity and internal audit. He will share proven approaches for embedding governance and controls into AI‑driven systems, ensuring both innovation and security. Moderating the panel discussion on 'Digital Trust & Resilience: Strengthening Cyber Confidence in Malaysia' is Jaco Benadie, Partner, Technology Consulting – Cyber in Ernst & Young Consulting Sdn Bhd. As the leader of EY ASEAN's OT Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence, Jaco is renowned for his commitment to excellence and his innovative approach to advancing cybersecurity measures. He is widely recognised as a leading authority in the energy sector's cybersecurity, ensuring that key industry players maintain secure and resilient operations. The summit's full line-up features thought leaders across government, finance, technology and critical infrastructure – each offering unique perspectives on threat intelligence, digital trust, governance and more. Participants will also enjoy dedicated networking sessions, enabling collaboration with peers and solution providers. The Cybersecurity Summit 2025 is fully HRD Corp‑claimable, with group rates starting at RM888 and standard registration at RM1,199. Don't miss this opportunity to equip your organisation with the insights and connections needed to secure Malaysia's digital future. Visit to register today.
