Image credit: The Edge Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR: The government is accelerating efforts to build a robust digital security ecosystem, with a dual focus on grooming homegrown cybersecurity talent and crafting regulatory guardrails for artificial intelligence (AI).
Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo said Malaysia must think beyond its borders when it comes to digital security, as cybersecurity challenges and solutions are increasingly global in nature.
"We want our talent to be recognised internationally and equipped to meet global standards," he said at the launch of the Certified Chief Information Security Officer (C|CISO) programme on Tuesday.
He said bolstering the local talent pool will be critical to supporting the implementation of the Cyber Security Act and the amended Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA).
"We have introduced the Cyber Security Act 2024 and amended the PDPA. But these laws are only as effective as the people enforcing them.
"That is why we are investing in expertise to make sure the outcomes match our intentions, creating a safe digital environment," he added.
As part of Malaysia's broader digital agenda, Gobind said the government has also established the National AI Office (NIO), currently engaging with industry stakeholders to determine the best approach to AI governance.
He added the NIO is in the midst of gathering industry feedback and is expected to submit a report by the end of June outlining whether Malaysia should introduce new laws, regulations or standards for AI governance.
Jointly implemented by CyberSecurity Malaysia, the C|CISO programme aims to certify senior information security officers across government ministries and agencies to ensure consistent and capable leadership in digital security.
The initiative is part of the implementation of the Cyber Security Act 2024, which came into force in August last year.
The Act provides a regulatory framework to enhance national cybersecurity, including the establishment of the National Cyber Security Committee chaired by the prime minister and the empowerment of the National Cyber Security Agency (NACSA).
It also mandates compliance with cybersecurity standards, mandatory incident reporting to the National Cyber Coordination Centre, and regular risk audits, a system designed to encourage proactive, risk-based enforcement.
The C|CISO programme is endorsed by global training provider EC-Council Asia Sdn Bhd and covers five core domains on cybersecurity management, risk management, data protection, legal compliance and digital standards.
Strategic support is provided by the Human Resources Ministry through the Human Resource Development Corp, making the programme more accessible across the public sector.
Gobind urged on cybersecurity professionals to seize the opportunity to upskill, stressing that a competent and agile digital workforce is vital for Malaysia to remain competitive and secure in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
"This programme is a major leap in building local cybersecurity capabilities. It enhances our national resilience and cements Malaysia's role as a regional leader in digital talent development," he said.
Source: https://www.nst.com.my/business/economy/2025/06/1225204/gobind-malaysia-must-think-global-digital-security