Cybersecurity audit needed to safeguard user data, says Fahmi

An audit of cybersecurity needs to be done to guarantee the data security of users in the country, says Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil.

He said his ministry needed to identify the vulnerabilities or weaknesses in the existing ecosystem to prevent continued data theft.

"Data is a national treasure that needs to be kept safe," he said during his first monthly assembly with ministry staff in Putrajaya today, also attended by Deputy Minister Teo Nie Ching, secretary-general Mohammad Mentek, as well as the heads and officers of the departments and agencies under the ministry.

Fahmi said the ministry would also play an important role in assessing and assisting other agencies and departments as well as ministries in ensuring that cybersecurity is a priority.

"My intention is for CyberSecurity Malaysia, which is under the ministry’s purview, to always play a very important role.

"I do not want any more incidents in any department of data being compromised, hacked, or stolen, whether or not these are related to the actions of scammers," he said.

Fahmi also advised members of the public who had been scammed to contact the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) by calling 997 to report the theft of money within 24 hours.

"If you are a victim (of scammers), do not be ashamed or afraid. Call (NSRC) within 24 hours of the incident so that Bank Negara can stop the outflow of funds from the system," he said.

He also expressed hope for closer cooperation with Bank Negara and the police to overcome online fraud.

He said the money stolen through online fraud was likely used on the black market to fund activities that threaten national security including drug trafficking and the purchase of illegal weapons.