Fahmi Fadzil urges use of AI to mitigate cybersecurity manpower shortages

Communications and digital minister, Fahmi Fadzil has reportedly revealed that the current shortage of cybersecurity experts will be mitigated through artificial intelligence technology such as off-the-shelf applications.

He also explained that while Malaysia’s digital economy is on track to contribute to more than 25.5% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product, its growth comes with an increased risk of cyber threats, in a statement seen by A+M.

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Cyber security awareness in Malaysia needs to improve alongside nurturing skilled manpower in the area, he added.

Although both private and public institutions of higher learning provide small batches of cyber security experts, off-the-shelf applications that leverage AI technology can help reduce the dependence on manpower, he said during a press conference after the opening of PNB Cyber Planet 2023, as reported by Bernama.

Minister Fahmi also suggested the creation of chief information security roles that will aid in coordinating and managing the cybersecurity of organisations in the wake of recent instances of cyber-attacks.

To safeguard the nation’s cyberspace, minister Fahmi said that the Cybersecurity Bill will be tabled in parliament by the end of the year at the earliest, in August. According to media reports, the cabinet has agreed in principle to draft the bill this month with a focus on regulatory powers and law enforcement.

As the government aims to curb cybersecurity threats, Telegram has also agreed to co-operate with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and the country’s enforcement authorities to curb cyber fraud earlier this year.

In a statement seen by A+M, Minister Fahmi shared that Telegram has been an alarming source of criminal cases such as fake investment fraud, pedophilia and pornography to name a few.

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