Cyber threats like ransomware and malware can disrupt business operations, damage brand reputation, erode consumer trust and impact financial viability.—Photo from Unsplash.
WHEN we think about sustainability, environmental conservation often takes centre stage. However, the sustainability of our society, which is increasingly intertwined with the digital world, is equally critical.
As Malaysia continues its digital transformation, the digital economy is poised to play an even more significant role, contributing 25.5% of the country’s GDP by 2025, up from 23% in 2022.
In this context, cybersecurity emerges as a foundational element, essential for ensuring the resilience and continuity of our digital society.
Protecting the world’s digital fabric
In Malaysia today, digitalisation powers nearly every aspect of life — from utilities, transportation and banking to government services, healthcare and entertainment.
This interconnectedness brings unprecedented convenience but also heightens our vulnerability to cyber threats. As our reliance on digital infrastructure grows, so does the importance of cybersecurity.
It is not just a technical necessity but a crucial safeguard for the very fabric of modern society, ensuring individual protection, economic stability and national security.
Moreover, the economic health of the nation is also intrinsically linked to the security of its enterprises and citizens. Cyber threats like ransomware and malware can disrupt business operations, damage brand reputation, erode consumer trust and impact financial viability.
For Malaysian businesses, implementing robust cybersecurity measures is essential not only to protect assets but also to ensure long-term resilience and contribute to the nation’s overall economic sustainability.
Furthermore, national security in the digital age extends beyond physical borders to encompass cyberspace.
The rise of cyber warfare, espionage and terrorism underscores the need for strong cybersecurity measures to protect the resilience of critical infrastructure — such as energy, water and transportation systems.
These systems are vital not only for maintaining political stability and economic health but also for sustaining public trust in institutions.
Without strong cybersecurity, Malaysia’s competitiveness and sustainability on the global stage are at risk.
Peerapong: Looking ahead, securing Malaysia’s digital networks and infrastructure will require a comprehensive approach.
Building trust in Malaysia’s digital society
Trust is the cornerstone of all digital interactions, from online shopping to international diplomacy. However, this trust is fragile, especially in the face of rapidly evolving digital threats like deep fakes and sophisticated phishing schemes.
These threats undermine confidence in digital technologies and can have far-reaching consequences, from financial fraud to the erosion of public trust in institutions.
Strengthening cybersecurity is essential to maintaining this trust and ensuring that digital technologies continue to serve as a force for good in society.
Cybersecurity measures ensure that the conveniences of a digital society do not come at the cost of individual privacy and security. By safeguarding these elements, we protect not only individuals but also the trust that underpins our digital economy.
Strengthening cybersecurity for society
A key part of building trust and enhancing cybersecurity is collaboration in the fight against cybercrime. The sharing of actionable threat intelligence between the public and private sectors is a crucial element to dismantling cybercriminal networks.
For organisations, partnerships with supranational entities such as the Interpol and the World Economic Forum’s Centre for Cybersecurity are essential for addressing cyber threats more effectively and helping shape the future of digital security.
Closing the security skills gap
Cybersecurity itself also needs to be sustainable, and this has two major components: the continued ability of the cybersecurity sector to function and effectively protect nations, organisations and individuals; and the industry’s own efforts to operate more sustainably.
For the first component, a key impediment is a global shortage of an estimated four million cybersecurity professionals.
Fortinet is committed to helping bridge this cybersecurity skills gap through one of the industry’s largest programmes to train one million professionals worldwide by 2026.
In Malaysia, this includes present and past academic partnerships with Sunway University, Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation (APU), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM), Universiti Malaysia Perlis, Multimedia University – MMU Cyberjaya and Universiti Teknologi Petronas to boost cybersecurity education.
For the second component, the cybersecurity industry itself is committed to more sustainable operations to reduce and ultimately eliminate its environmental footprint.
Cybersecurity solutions are increasingly designed to be more energy-efficient, require less cooling and occupy less space.
This helps cybersecurity customers reduce their power consumption and carbon footprint. Fortinet adopts a holistic approach and leverages innovation as part of our commitment to minimise the environmental impact of our cybersecurity products and solutions.
This has resulted in 88% lower power consumption than other industry-standard CPUs, a 66% average reduction in product energy consumption, 33% reduction in space needed as well as 100% biodegradable packaging for certain products.
Securing Malaysia’s digital future
Looking ahead, securing Malaysia’s digital networks and infrastructure will require a comprehensive approach. This includes enhancing verification processes, deploying advanced threats detection tools, and leveraging automation and artificial intelligence.
Collaboration between the public and private sectors is crucial, fostering a culture of transparency and collective responsibility. A robust legal and policy framework, supported by widespread public education, will also be essential in identifying and mitigating cyber threats.
At the same time, cybersecurity must be integrated with ESG principles, in order to strengthen business frameworks and promote ethical, sustainable practices. By fostering collaboration and enhancing these measures, Malaysian businesses will be able to achieve long-term sustainability.
Ultimately, the effectiveness of cybersecurity depends on the people behind it. While technology provides essential tools, it is the trained and vigilant individuals who form the last line of defence against cyberattacks.
By investing in cybersecurity awareness and training, organisations can contribute to a more resilient society, ensuring that digital technologies continue to support Malaysia’s sustainability and prosperity.
Today, cybersecurity is not just a prerequisite for business sustainability but for the broader digital society.
As Malaysia continues to develop its digital economy, a strong commitment to cybersecurity will ensure that progress is sustainable, secure, and beneficial for all.
Peerapong Jongvibool is Fortinet’s senior director for South-East Asia.
