Armed forces monitoring daily cyber threats to protect national security

The armed forces in Malaysia are vigilant in their efforts to monitor and counteract the ever-present threat of cyberattacks, ensuring the nation's security and sovereignty remain intact. Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin emphasized that cyber intrusions and attacks have become a daily occurrence, necessitating continuous monitoring and prevention.

Khaled highlighted the military's readiness to enhance its capabilities and proposed the establishment of a fourth branch of the armed forces, dedicated to cyber warfare.

Currently, the Malaysian military consists of the army, air force, and navy, but in the future, they anticipate the emergence of warfare in cyberspace, necessitating a specialized force to address cyber threats. Khaled pointed out that Malaysia has been a frequent target of cyberattack attempts, with an estimated 80,000 to 90,000 daily breaches of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's (MACC) security defenses.

To bolster the country's defense readiness, the Cyber Force Nucleus Team was created on September 19, with the objective of achieving full operational capability by 2030.

During the Cyber Force Nucleus Team's formation, Khaled outlined its responsibilities, including shaping the organizational structure of the new service, devising new operational doctrines, and coordinating personnel requirements and training. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim acknowledged that Malaysia is among the countries considered potential targets of cyberattacks.

While many details of the cyber threat landscape remain undisclosed, Anwar noted that Malaysia's digital capabilities and positions on contentious international issues, such as Gaza, have made it a focal point for cyber threats.