In brief
Axiata Group Berhad says Malaysia’s Minister of Communications and Digital, Fahmi Fadzil, visited its Cyber Fusion Centre in Petaling Jaya to review its cyber defence and threat intelligence work. The visit included a facility tour and a simulated cyberattack intended to demonstrate the centre’s capabilities for businesses, public bodies and critical national infrastructure. Fadzil said CyberSecurity Malaysia and MDEC would explore collaboration with the centre on cybersecurity initiatives. Axiata says the facility focuses on monitoring threats, proactive defence and response, and supports clients across six countries. It also works to develop local cybersecurity talent through training and knowledge exchange. The centre received CyberSecurity Project of the Year 2023 recognition from CyberSecurity Malaysia. Axiata’s chief executive said the centre is intended to strengthen Malaysia’s cybersecurity capabilities and support a trusted digital technology ecosystem.
Key takeaways
- Minister Fahmi Fadzil visited Axiata’s Cyber Fusion Centre to review its cybersecurity capabilities.
- The visit included a cyberattack simulation demonstrating capabilities for business and public-sector organisations.
- CyberSecurity Malaysia and MDEC are expected to explore possible collaboration with the centre.
- Axiata says the centre serves clients in six countries and develops local cybersecurity talent.
PETALING JAYA, MALAYSIA, September 26, 2023 -- Fahmi Fadzil, Minister of Communications & Digital, visited the Axiata Cyber Fusion Centre (“ACFC”) today to assess the Centre’s progress in its cyber defence and threat intelligence capabilities.
The ACFC, unveiled in August 2022, stands as a vanguard in today's cybersecurity landscape. With a focus on real-time threat monitoring, proactive hunting, and robust protection of digital assets, ACFC ensures both digital trust and business resilience, embodying a full spectrum of protective, detective, and rapid-response capabilities. The ACFC was honoured as the CyberSecurity Project of the Year 2023 by CyberSecurity Malaysia in August 2023.
The minister, on his first working visit to the ACFC, was accompanied by Dato’ Ts. Dr. Haji Amirudin Abdul Wahab, Chief Executive Officer of CyberSecurity Malaysia and representatives from MDEC. They were welcomed by Tan Sri Shahril Ridza Ridzuan, Chairman of Axiata Group Berhad (“Axiata” or “the Group”) and Vivek Sood, Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Axiata.
The visit included a tour of the facility, and a simulation of a cyber-attack to showcase its capabilities in strengthening the cyber resilience of both business and public sector organisations, including critical national infrastructure.
The ACFC has three broad objectives:
- Driving innovation: ACFC’s internationally benchmarked cybersecurity capabilities are developed in-house and can be tailored to support the niche needs of its customers.
- Building world class cybersecurity capabilities: ACFC’s cybersecurity capabilities aim to serve the Enterprise and Public Sector’s needs for cyber resilience, enabling them to serve their customers and citizens while ensuring information security and data privacy.
- Advancing a thriving ecosystem for local cybersecurity talent: ACFC aims to accelerate the digital talent growth in cyber security capabilities in Malaysia and advance future-fit cyber security skills via workshops, trainings, and knowledge exchange.
The ACFC is equipped with both active defence and active offence capabilities, ensuring robust, proactive and preventative cybersecurity measures for organisations. Trusted by clients spanning six countries and diverse industries, it guarantees vigilant round-the-clock monitoring.
Aligned with the nation’s digital aspirations, Axiata is committed to accelerating digitalisation across Malaysian organisations by bringing world-class technology, innovation and services.
As a leading regional telecommunications and digital conglomerate, Axiata strives to be at the forefront of cybersecurity developments and through its operating companies across ASEAN and South Asia, Axiata is well-positioned to understand and manage these business-critical events and solutions.
Commentaries:
YB Fahmi Fadzil, Minister of Communications and Digital, said “I’m pleased that CyberSecurity Malaysia and MDEC will be exploring a collaboration with the Axiata Cyber Fusion Centre on several key initiatives to ensure that citizens, public and private sector organisations and our national infrastructure continue to be secured in the cyber realm.”
Vivek Sood, Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Axiata, said said “As Malaysian businesses progress towards digitalisation, evolving cyber threats are getting increasingly sophisticated, placing organisations at higher risk. Improving the awareness and adoption of strong cybersecurity practices is key to enhancing the business resilience of corporations, securing Malaysia’s digital ecosystem and driving inclusive growth. Through the Axiata Cyber Fusion Centre, we aim to advance Malaysia’s cybersecurity capabilities and build a trusted digital tech ecosystem to protect and support Malaysia’s digital economy.”
From left to right: Andy Chong, Group Chief Corporate Officer of Axiata, Tan Sri Shahril Ridza Ridzuan, Chairman of Axiata, Vivek Sood, GCEO & Managing Director of Axiata, Yang Berhormat Tuan Fahmi Fadzil, Minister of Communications & Digital, Ma Sivanesan, Deputy Secretary General of the Ministry of Communications and Digital and Dato’ Ts. Dr. Haji Amirudin Bin Abdul Wahab, CEO of CyberSecurity Malaysia listening intently to Abid Adam, Group Chief Risk & Compliance Officer of Axiata, detailing the cybersecurity capabilities of the ACFC.
YB Fahmi Fadzil said that CyberSecurity Malaysia and MDEC will be exploring a collaboration with the Axiata Cyber Fusion Centre on several key cybersecurity initiatives.
From left to right: Ts Dr Solahuddin Shamsuddin, CTO of CyberSecurity Malaysia, Abid Adam, Group Chief Risk & Compliance Officer of Axiata, Andy Chong, Group Chief Corporate Officer of Axiata, Vivek Sood, GCEO & Managing Director of Axiata, Tan Sri Shahril Ridza Ridzuan, Chairman of Axiata, Yang Berhormat Tuan Fahmi Fadzil, Minister of Communications & Digital, Ma Sivanesan, Deputy Secretary General, Ministry of Communications and Digital, Dato Ts. Dr. Haji Amirudin Bin Abdul Wahab, CEO of CyberSecurity Malaysia, Nik Naharudin Mohd Nasir, Director of Talent and Capability, MDEC, Harme Mohamed, Head of Division Strategic Information Technology, MCMC and Albern Murty, Deputy CEO of CelcomDigi.
-Ends-
About Axiata
In pursuit of its vision to be The Next Generation Digital Champion, Axiata is a diversified telecommunications and digital conglomerate operating Digital Telcos, Digital Businesses and Infrastructure businesses across a footprint spanning ASEAN and South Asia.
The Group has controlling stakes in market-leading mobile and fixed operators in the region including 'XL’ and ‘Link Net' in Indonesia, 'Dialog' in Sri Lanka, 'Robi' in Bangladesh, 'Smart' in Cambodia and 'Ncell' in Nepal while 'CelcomDigi' in Malaysia is a Key Associate Company. Axiata’s regional digital business verticals comprise ‘Boost’ a fintech company, and ‘ADA’, a digital analytics and AI company. 'EDOTCO' is among the top 10 independent TowerCos globally, operating in nine countries to deliver telecommunications infrastructure services.
As a committed and long-term investor, the Group actively supports and drives young talent development; community outreach; as well as climate change initiatives. Axiata's broader goal of Advancing Asia aims to piece together the best in the region in terms of innovation, connectivity and talent to drive digital inclusion and sustainable progress across our markets. Find out more at www.axiata.com
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Questions around this news
What is the Axiata Cyber Fusion Centre?
The Axiata Cyber Fusion Centre is a cybersecurity facility unveiled in August 2022. The release says it monitors threats in real time, hunts for threats proactively and provides protective, detective and rapid-response capabilities. It serves clients in six countries and aims to support organisations in the enterprise and public sectors.
What collaboration was discussed during the minister’s visit?
The Minister of Communications and Digital said CyberSecurity Malaysia and MDEC would explore working with the centre on several cybersecurity initiatives. The stated aim was to help protect citizens, public and private organisations, and national infrastructure. The release does not name specific initiatives or say that an agreement had been reached.
What does a cyber fusion centre do?
A cyber fusion centre brings together people, processes and technology to help an organisation detect, assess and respond to cyber threats. It may combine security monitoring with threat intelligence and incident response, helping teams share information and coordinate action. Its precise services and responsibilities vary by organisation.
What is cyber resilience?
Cyber resilience is an organisation’s ability to prepare for, withstand and respond to cyber incidents, then restore operations and adapt. It includes preventive security measures, response planning, recovery arrangements and efforts to limit disruption. It complements cybersecurity, which often focuses on protecting systems and information from threats.
