Muhyiddin Launches Cybersafe In Schools To Promote Cyber Security
24 Sept 2010 (Bernama)

KOTA MARUDU, Sept 24
(Bernama)-Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on Friday launched the "CyberSAFE in Schools" programme, signalling a step further in strengthening the cyber security infrastructure, with focus on the education sector. CyberSAFE or Cyber Security Awareness for Everyone is a collaborative initiative between Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry and the Education Ministry.

Launching the programme at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Tandek, near here, Muhyiddin, who is also the Education Minister, said the safe and ethical use of the Internet as advocated by the programme would provide safe Internet surfing environment among students and teachers. He said that in the effort to expand Internet accessibility and connectivity, the government was mindful of the fact that although ICT was an indispensible tool, it could also create a negative environment, exposing children to unhealthy activities. "The country is facing challenges in handling cyberspace issues including the enforceability of cyber laws outside the country's border, proliferation of cyber media, development of human capital for cyber security and hackers targeting the country's critical information infrastructure, among others," he said.

At the same time, Muhyiddin said, there was a huge market potential in the cyber security sector and that in Malaysia alone, growth was expected at 19 per cent annually, reacing RM856 million in 2015. "The Institute of Management Development, based in Switzerland, ranked Malaysia in the 19th position in terms of cyber security, well ahead of countries like the United States, United Kingdom, South Korea, India and China. Malaysia ranks second in Southeast Asia and fourth in Asia. "This puts Malaysia among the most competitive nations in the world in
cyber security. "It is clear that the cyber security foundation which we have put in place has provided the ingredients to develop the cyber security sector, which has the potential to contribute to the country's economy," he said.

Meanwhile, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili said that based on Cybersecurity Malaysia statistics, there was an increase of 92 per cent in cyber incidence reported to the Cyber999 help centre in January-August this year, or 4,390 cases compared to 2,289 cases during the same period last year. Cases included scams, malware attacks, spams, denial-of-service attacks and intrusion attempts, he said.

On today's programme, Ongkili said the implementing agency, Cybersecurity Malaysia, in collaboration with the Education Ministry, had carried out pioneer projects in 22 schools nationwide so far, involving 7,753 students and 562 teachers. Meanwhile, Muhyiddin announced RM34 million for SMK Bandau and SMK Langkon near here to build their school buildings. The two schools have been squatting at primary schools here since the past 10 years.

Muhyiddin also toured SMK Bandau, which currently squatting in Sekolah Kebangsaan Ongkilan, and said that the work to build the two schools would start next year and expected to be completed in 2013. Earlier, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman announced an allocation to pave a stretch of 1.3km of road to SMK Bandau from the main road. On the 1Malaysia milk distribution, Muhyiddin said he would launch the programme next month, expected to benefit three million students nationwide.

The programme cost RM60 million to implement this year, he said, adding that the ministry would also discuss with several milk manufacturers to provide the milk as the requirement was more than what the Sabah International Dairies could provide. He later attended a get-together with the local community at the multipurpose hall here before returning to Kota Kinabalu en route to the national capital.