Cyber attack in M'sia still under control
9 FEB 2010 (The Star)

KUALA LUMPUR: Cyber attack in Malaysia is still under control, due to government efforts in ensuring a safe electronic environment in the country, said CyberSecurity Malaysia's Chief Executive Officer Husin Jazri.

"Cyber security in Malaysia is the same as in other parts of the world, we have issues and challenges that we face but in short, it is under control (cyber attack)," he told Bernama Tuesday.

He said the government was pursuing more efforts to address the issue through CyberSecurity, which is the national cyber security specialist centre under the purview of the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry.

"We are part of the value-chain that is involved in cyber security. When an incident is reported to Cyber 999 Help Desk, an investigation is undertaken immediately and the victims are advised on what they should do," he said on the sidelines of CyberSecurity Professional Networking Cocktail.

Cyber 999 Help Desk is a one-stop reporting centre to lodge complaints on any incident taking place in cyberspace.

Last year, 3,564 cases were reported to the centre, an increase of 68 per cent compared with the same period in 2008.

"This figure shows that there is a rising awareness about cyber security," he said, adding that CyberSecurity works with state and local governments and the private sector to ensure an organised and unified response to future cyber incidents.

"Given the enormous damage that can be caused by even a single cyber attack, ad-hoc responses will not be enough. Neither is it sufficient to simply strengthen our defences after incidents or attacks occur.

"We have plans and resources in place to disseminate information, issue alerts and ensure a coordinated response to mitigate the threats to our society," he explained.

Quoting a report last year, he said Malaysia lost RM1 million via Internet banking.

Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Chor Chee Heung said in Parliment, recently, 50.3 million Internet banking transactions were conducted between January and June 2009, involving RM348.5 billion, but the loss was a meagre RM1 million.

Husin said CyberSecurity launched the Malware Research Centre, last year, as testimony to its commitment to weed out new emerging threats.

"It assumes a vital role in identifying and analising new threats that may harm Malaysia's infrastructure and economy," he added.

Husin said under its key performance indicators for 2010, CyberSecurity has to train about 1,500 experts this year to produce world class services in the near future.

CyberSecurity, was also exploring a partnership with international players to address the cyberspace issue.

It recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Morocco's Department of Post, Telecommunications and New Technologies to establish close cooperation. - Bernama