Cyber security in S-E Asia needs collective response from stakeholders

AT the inaugural Singapore International Cyber Week in October, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong outlined plans to strengthen cyber security in Singapore, as well as a S$10 million investment in the Asean Cyber Capacity Programme to ramp up cyber security resources, expertise and training among the South-east Asian countries.

With Singapore playing the catalyst role and placing significant investments in driving cyber security developments in the region, it is worthwhile to delve into the critical areas that need to be addressed in order for the region to progress and mature.

According to the Microsoft Malware Index 2016 (MMI 2016), of the top five countries in the world that are the most vulnerable to malware threats, four are from the Asia-Pacific - Pakistan, Indonesia, Bangladesh and Nepal.