Malaysia Cyber Security Above Average - Centre
13 April 2009 (BERNAMA)

KOTA KINABALU, April 13 (Bernama) -- The country's level of cyber security is above average and in some cases, better than developed countries, according to national specialist centre CyberSecurity Malaysia. Its chief executive officer, Lt Col (Rtd) Husin Jazri, said if there was such comparison on the level of cyber security health among countries, Malaysia would be rated quite high, in terms of ensuring and creating a safe cyberspace environment.

"This is not to say we are free from malicious activities, but that they are within the control of the (responsible) agencies in Malaysia," he told reporters during a briefing with the Sabah media here Monday. He said the centre's response, along with related agencies in Malaysia such as the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and the police, in terms of enforcement, was commendable.

Husin gave an example where after receiving a report on phishing activities (criminally fraudulent process of attempting to acquire sensitive information such as usernames, passwords and credit card details by masquerading as a trustworthy entity), they managed to put down the fake website in less than an hour.

"This is very fast ... in some countries, it would take them three to four days," he noted.

CyberSecurity Malaysia, under the purview of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (Mosti), was formerly known as National ICT Security and Emergency Response Centre (NISER) and was officially renamed in March 2007.

Its team is here to conduct a one-day cyber training to about 40 local teachers at SK Tanjung Aru 1 tomorrow.

This is the first time a workshop on 'Google-Fu Power Search Techniques' -- how to effectively use search engines in obtaining information -- is conducted with schools.

Previously, CyberSecurity conducted the course for ministries.