The ever-evolving digital and technological landscape will continuously reshape our economies, societies and the very fabric of our daily lives as advances in digital technologies have brought unprecedented opportunities for growth, innovation and connectivity, said Minister of Transport and Infocommunications Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Shamhary bin Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Mustapha.
The minister said this in a keynote address during the Tripartite Forum on ‘Building a Vibrant Digital Economy in ASEAN: Strategies for Cyber Resilience and Shared Prosperity’ at The Empire Brunei yesterday.
The minister added, “From e-commerce and e-government to financial technology and smart cities, the integration of digital technologies into every aspect of our lives has truly been remarkable. However, the more connected and dependent we also become on digital technologies the more exposed we also become.”
The minister said that the Sultanate has set up its own Brunei National Cyber Security Strategy (BNCSS), which focuses on building a safer, trusted and more resilient cyberspace, preserving national sovereignty, and enabling Brunei Darussalam’s digital transformation.
Through Cyber Security Brunei and the Authority for Info-communications Technology Industry of Brunei Darussalam and the Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications, the Sultanate is actively collaborating with international stakeholders to enhance its cybersecurity capabilities, said the minister.
On the ASEAN region, Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Shamhary said that digital transformation is a critical driver to elevate our region to new heights and enhance our global competitiveness. “In 2021, ASEAN released its Digital Masterplan 2025 (ADM 2025) which provides a roadmap for ASEAN member states to increase their citizens’ capability to participate in the digital economy,” he said.
The minister added, “As technology evolves, so will the cyber threat landscape. Cyber threats are becoming increasingly complex and sophisticated, especially in the era of artificial intelligence (AI). Malicious actors are exploiting vulnerabilities at an alarming rate, targeting everything from individual data to critical infrastructure.”
In light of these challenges, the minister said, “Building cyber resiliency in ASEAN is not just an option, it is both a security and an economic imperative. Cyber resiliency refers to our ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from cyber attacks. It involves not only protecting systems and data but also ensuring the continuity of operations and minimising damage in the event of an incident.” – Azlan Othman
