Building info security hub
28th July 2005 (Coputimes)
By Izwan Ismail

AS part of the move to make Malaysia a hub for information security industry, the Government, led by the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry, is organising e-Secure Malaysia 2005, an information security seminar and exhibition.

To be held from Sept 28 to Oct 1, 2005 at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) in Kuala Lumpur, the event is said to be the first in the country to address issues and trends in today's information security landscape, be it on Internet security, network security, and security management.

According to the National ICT Security and Emergency Response Centre's (Niser) director Lt Col Husin Jazri, e-Secure Malaysia will serve as a networking platform for security professionals, policy makers, researchers and industry players.

"It is aimed at promoting Malaysia as a regional hub for information security and a launchpad for a more fundamental and systematic co-ordination of information security among industry players and the Government."

Husin says that among the pressing issues in the local information security industry are the lack of knowledge and skills among companies, the Government and the people.

"The level of awareness on information security locally in general is already high as most companies know the threats they are facing, but it is the 'action' step that is still lacking," he says, adding that most companies would just buy the necessary software solutions for protection.

He adds that one can buy security solutions and yet feel insecure. Hence, it is important for companies to develop appropriate knowledge on information security and implement the right solutions.

"One can always buy proprietry solutions, but if one has the knowledge to use technology such as open source, one can even cut down costs of implementing whatever information security strategy they plan. That is why events like e-Secure Malaysia is vital in this scenario."

Husin adds that information security should not be viewed as protection from cyber threats, but needs to be looked upon as an opportunity to develop an industry where the country can play a role as an information security consultancy provider.

Malaysia already has several companies that are known in the security industry such as Tricubes, Iris and MySec, and with e-Secure Malaysia, this industry can be developed further.

Apart from Niser, others inlvolved in organising the event are Energy, Water and Communications Ministry, Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, Malaysian Administrative Modernisation and Management Planning Unit (Mampu), Standards and Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia, and Malaysian National Computer Confederation.

Husin says 60 booths are confirmed by Press time and about 6,000 visitors are expected to attend the event, also open to the public.