by SULHI KHALID/ pic by RAZAK GHAZALI

CYBER fraud is the highest reported cyber-attack incident thus far among Malaysians with 4,671 reports lodged with CyberSecurity Malaysia as of August this year.

CEO Datuk Dr Amirudin Abd Wahab said intrusion is the second-highest incident with 820 reports recorded, followed by malicious codes with 468 reports.

Realising the potential of impending threats, CyberSecurity aims to have the ability to anticipate threats, absorb impacts, and react promptly to ensure key systems and processes continue to operate.

“One of the solutions is to create cyber ecosystems that encourage public-private partnership to address the impacts to national security and societal wellbeing,” he said to reporters during a signing ceremony between Celcom Axiata Bhd and CyberSecurity Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

According to statistics from the Malaysia Computer Emergency Response Team, among the cyberfraud cases often reported are phishing, job scams, Nigerian scams, lottery scams, love scams and online scams, involving sales transactions.

Celcom Axiata signed a memorandum of understanding with CyberSecurity Malaysia to explore and enhance cyber-security capabilities and opportunities for various industry verticals.

“As the nation embarks on the Industrial Revolution 4.0 amid a rapid-growing digital ecosystem, Celcom Axiata will continue to invest and innovate for the best digital solutions for our customers’ and business digital information.

“Customers’ data protection and security are our utmost priority,” said Celcom Axiata CEO Mohamad Idham Nawawi (picture) .

Mohamad Idham added that Celcom Axiata has invested a total amount of RM15 million to RM20 million over the past years to ramp up its cybersecurity system.

Its collaboration with CyberSecurity Malaysia marks the telecommunications company’s ongoing dedication and vigilance to further develop and innovate cyber-security within today’s digital ecosystem.

“We aim to play a vital role in the development of cyber-security capabilities across vertical industries, further strengthening Malaysia’s self-reliance in cyberspace,” Mohamad Idham said. Cyber-Security Malaysia Collaboration Programme is a public-private partnership initiative.

This strategic collaboration between local cyber-security players and government entities aim to develop sustainable relationships between government industry and academia as well as addressing skills gaps in the workforce and boost cyber-security industry contribution to national economic growth.

The public who have fallen victim to cybercrime may lodge a report to Cyber999 Help Centre, a public service that provides emergency response to computer security-related emergencies. The services provided are free of charge.

All cybercrime-related incidents can be reported by calling 1-300-88-2999 or the 24-hour emergency helpline at 0192665850, faxing (03-80087000), sending SMS via CYBER999 REPORT to 15888 or by e-mailing at [email protected].

CyberSecurity Malaysia is the national cyber-security specialist and technical centre under the purview of the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia Malaysia.