have skyrocketed in recent years, with the digital ministry reporting a significant increase in such incidents. According to its minister Gobind Singh Deo during Dewan Rakyat today on 17 October 2024, 646 data breach cases were recorded in 2023, marking a 1,192% rise from just 50 in 2022. By September of this year, 427 cases had already been reported, he added.
Gobind stressed the severe implications of data leaks for national security and sovereignty, emphasising that sensitive information – including personal details of citizens, government secrets, and security-related data – can be exploited by malicious actors. These breaches pave the way for a variety of cyber threats, such as surveillance, hacking, and data misuse, which, in turn, undermine public trust in governmental institutions.
He also highlighted the economic risks posed by data breaches. Exposed information could lead to cybercrimes, including identity theft and attacks on critical national infrastructure. These cybercrimes not only jeopardise the nation’s economy, but also create a sense of instability.
The minister assured that the government is committed to proactively reducing the risks of data breaches and securing the nation’s information systems. In response to the growing threat, he revealed that the digital ministry has implemented robust monitoring and cyber threat detection measures.
One of these measures is the establishment of an active monitoring centre under CyberSecurity Malaysia’s Preemptive Services and Technology Division. This centre is tasked with overseeing suspicious activities on the dark web, where much of the traded government data is often found.
Moreover, the ministry is collaborating with other agencies and law enforcement bodies, including the Personal Data Protection Department (JPDP), to ensure a swift response to data breach incidents. They have also provided cybersecurity training and guidelines to civil servants, aiming to prevent future data leaks and ensure the security of sensitive information across government ministries and agencies.
(Source: The Star)
