Digital Perak-CSM Ink MoU To Strengthen Cybersecurity Ahead Of State Command Centre

IPOH, Oct 6 (Bernama) -- The Perak state government, through Digital Perak Corporation Holdings (Digital Perak), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with CyberSecurity Malaysia (CSM) to strengthen cybersecurity and data resilience ahead of the establishment of its state command centre.

State Communications, Multimedia and NGO Committee chairman Mohd Azlan Helmi said the collaboration is aimed at ensuring the command centre, estimated to be worth more than RM100 million and slated to begin operations next year, is backed by a robust data protection system.

"The collection and integration of various data sources at the command centre will demand a high level of cybersecurity, necessitating preparatory measures from the outset.

"Digital Perak will act as the main coordinator managing operations and data integration at the centre, while CyberSecurity Malaysia will provide support through technical expertise, technology transfer and cybersecurity advisory services," he said.

He said this to reporters after witnessing the MoU signing between Digital Perak chief executive officer Mohamad Suhaimi Mohamad Tahir and CSM Management Services Division head Azman Ismail at the Perak State Innovation Convention 2026, Stadium Indera Mulia here today.

Mohd Azlan said the collaboration is projected to be worth RM1.5 million, covering cybersecurity awareness, training, certification, assessment and capacity building.

He said it is also intended to strengthen the state's digital ecosystem, in line with the Perak Sejahtera 2030 aspiration and the Perak State Digital Economy Action Plan 2030.

"The two-year collaboration will explore the need for Security Operations Centre as a Service (SOCaaS) and the development of more structured cybersecurity capabilities, targeting between 1,000 and 1,500 participants and 15 to 25 organisations across Perak," he said.

On a separate matter, Mohd Azlan said the state government is in the process of drafting specific guidelines to require all telecommunications companies to tighten security over their equipment and infrastructure following rampant vandalism.

He said the details of the guidelines will be discussed in depth through the Perak State Network Integrity and Security Committee.

"We will hold follow-up discussions with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to fine-tune the guidelines," he said, stressing that firm action under Section 235 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 will continue to be enforced against sabotage and theft of network equipment.

He revealed that as of June, 310 cases of cable theft and vandalism were recorded in Perak, with 125 of them already charged in court, while 67 others are still under investigation. 

-- BERNAMA