Teo Nie Ching urges govt agencies to conduct cybersecurity audits amid rising hacking threats

KUALA TERENGGANU, Nov 6 — Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching has called on all government agencies to conduct cybersecurity audits in order to identify vulnerabilities within their digital systems and infrastructure. The need for such audits is paramount given the increasing hacking threats related to developments in international conflicts.

Teo emphasized that this step is essential to ensure that security systems, including firewalls, can effectively protect data and deter intrusions by malicious parties. While the National Cyber Security Agency (Nacsa) is leading the country's cybersecurity efforts, Deputy Communications Minister Teo informed that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is prepared to assist government agencies in carrying out the audits.

Post her contribution to the Tabung Kasih@HAWANA X TM initiative, Teo highlighted the necessity of extending cybersecurity measures to the private sector, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and associations, especially those relying on the internet and storing data online. She stressed that organizations, particularly those managing critical infrastructure like hospitals and banking systems, should allocate specific funds for cybersecurity audits.

Teo cited past hacking incidents targeting local authority systems to underscore the importance of adopting preventive measures and safeguarding digital data. She advised organizations that utilize artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing services to set aside a portion of their budgets to enhance their cybersecurity. Yesterday, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohd Khalid Ismail disclosed that the Royal Malaysia Police is continuously strengthening its readiness against potential cyber threats amid international conflicts, particularly those involving Iran and the United States.