A number of initiatives and documents to help organisations navigate the Cyber Security Order 2023 is well under way, said Minister of Transport and Infocommunications Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Shamhary bin Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Mustapha yesterday.
During the Brunei Cybersecurity Conference, Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Shamharry, who is also Minister-in-Charge of Cybersecurity, highlighted the preperation of the Personal Data Protection Order (PDPO), the code of practice for critical information infrastructure (CII) and a guideline for conducting risk assessment and audit for CII as measures to secure the country’s digital environment for all citizens and businesses.
“As technology evolves, so does the cyber-threat landscape. Therefore, organisations and individuals must continuously strengthen defences and adopt proactive security measures to mitigate the risks.
“This involves implementing various measures including the use of counter threat technologies, processes and policies, to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information and systems that we now rely on in our daily lives,” said the minister during his remarks.
“These guidelines will set the standards for our cybersecurity framework and facilitate the implementation of the Cyber Security Order as we strive for a safer digital environment,” said the minister.
The minister noted that the PDPO has been undertaken by the Authority for Info-communications Technology Industry of Brunei Darussalam (AITI) with the help of the Attorney General’s Chamber and is progressing very well, adding that this is an aligned initiative that will contribute towards a more robust and resilient digital ecosystem in Brunei Darussalam.”
Interim Commissioner of Cyber Security Brunei (CSB) Shamsul Bahri bin Haji Kamis said the agency, which oversees three government cybersecurity services, will be publishing the Code of Practice for CII and the Guidelines for Conducting Risk Assessment and Audit for CII “soon”.
He said the documentation, along with others, will assist both CII and non-CII owners to lift their cybersecurity posture to the level of generally-accepted standards.
The guidelines“, are intend to reinforce our digital defences and ensure no vulnerability goes unchecked”, he said.
“CSB is also currently in the final stages of publishing the updated National Cyber Security Strategy (NCSS), hopefully within this year,” he said.
CYBERCRIME ON THE RISE
The Brunei Cybersecurity Conference 2023 was held yesterday at Tarindak D’Seni in Bandar Seri Begawan.
The event, jointly hosted by CSB, IT Protective Security Services Sdn Bhd (ITPSS), Brunei Cyber Security Association and the Association of Information Security Personnel, carried the theme ‘Securing the Digital Frontier – Navigating Cyber Challenges’.
Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Shamhary, the guest of honour, said in his opening address that scams, fraud and cybercriminal activities have been on the rise in the region.
“The most prevalent cyber security threat to the public is social engineering, or in other words are online scams and fraudulent activities. This technique manipulates human behaviour to deceive individuals into revealing confidential information, such as passwords or financial details.
“These issues are of utmost concern, and it is our responsibility to address them effectively while continuing to remain vigilant in our collective efforts to protect our digital ecosystem,” said the minister.
“We acknowledge that Brunei Darussalam needs to grow its pool of cyber security professionals. Collaboration between cybersecurity professionals and industry is pivotal in achieving this goal. We must strive to create more training opportunities with quality trainers right here.”
Following the opening ceremony, the minister visited the various exhibition booths by various stakeholders. Deputy Minister (Security and Law) at the Prime Minister’s Office Dato Seri Paduka Haji Sufian bin Haji Sabtu, Royal Brunei Police Force Commissioner Dato Paduka Seri Haji Mohammad Irwan bin Haji Hambali as well as officials were also present at the event.
CYBER SECURITY ASSOCIATION
Meanwhile, Brunei Cyber Security Association President Mohamad Azad Zaki bin Haji Mohd Tahir announced the official establishment of the association yesterday, which aimed to “improve our cybersecurity workforce”.
“ Our journey began with a shared desire to create a platform similar to today’s conference, that would bring together individuals and organisations who share a common interest in cybersecurity,” he said. – James Kon
