By Karen Bong
KUCHING, March 27: Kuching will host the Asia Pacific Cybersecurity Conference 2023, the first of its kind in Sarawak that aims to bring together industry leaders and experts to discuss and exchange knowledge on the latest cybersecurity trends, threats, and solutions, from May 19 to 21 at Pullman Hotel here.
It is organised by the Institute of Management Sarawak (Masa) and Sarawak Information Systems Sdn Bhd (Sains) in collaboration with Cyber8Lab (Australia) in partnership with CybExer Technology (Estonia).
Deputy Secretary of the Sarawak Government (Economic and Development Plan) Datu Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel emphasised that the Sarawak government is keen on improving knowledge on this sector related to the digital economy.
“We expect some 500 attendees from outside Sarawak, particularly the Asia Pacific region, such as Singapore, the Philippines, Cambodia, Indonesia, South Korea, the Middle East, Australia, and Europe.
“With the conference, we will put Sarawak on the world map regarding cybersecurity action,” he told a press conference at Wisma Bapa Malaysia today.
Zaidel also hopes with the success of this conference, it can be made into an annual event which will require support from all stakeholders.
The conference is expected to be launched by the Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Sains chief executive officer (CEO) Dato Dr Anderson Tiong pointed out that cybersecurity is one of the enablers to support the digital economy in Sarawak and the region.
“This sector is very important, and the conference’s objective is to pull all the cybersecurity experts to come to Sarawak so that all of us can learn and tap into their talents and experiences.
“It will be very interesting with speakers from the Asia Pacific, and we hope the public and agencies can make full use of the conference as a platform to learn and get themselves exposure to cybersecurity issues,” he encouraged.
The conference, themed ‘Achieving Security and Resiliency Together’, will feature a renowned global security expert who is WithSecure chief research officer Mikko Hypponen from Finland, who will share his insights and experience in the field.
Besides providing a platform for networking opportunities, the Conference will feature panel sessions, satellite events such as the Asia Pacific Cyberattack Response Challenge, Leadership Forum, Child Online Safety and Protection awareness programme and hands-on workshops.
Sarawakian Daisy Sinclair of Cyber8Lab (Australia) said the Asia Pacific Cyberattack Response Challenge is an educational and entertaining segment that will test participants’, coming from universities, industries and even government agencies, skills to analyse, investigate and respond to different types of cyber attacks.
The Cyber Leadership Forum is catered for invited participants from three core industries in the public and private sectors such as business, health, oil and gas, banks, insurance companies and utilities which oversee critical infrastructures.
There is also a business matching session to allow stakeholders to network on cybersecurity business and understand the current threat landscape so they can forge partnerships between vendors and digital makers to bring different solutions, training, and consultancy in the cybersecurity field.
Registration to participate in the Conference is now open and can be assessed via the event website. — DayakDaily
