By Salawati Haji Yahya –
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, 21 OCT – The Minister of Transport and Infocommunications, His Excellency Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Shamhary bin Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Mustapha, as the minister responsible for cyber security, has represented Brunei Darussalam at the ASEAN Ministers’ Conference on Cyber Security (AMCC ) 9th in conjunction with the 9th Singapore International Cyber Week (SICW) in the Republic of Singapore, recently.
With a theme Trust and Security in the Digital Erathe 9th SICW was inaugurated by the Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security, Republic of Singapore, His Excellency Teo Chee Hean.
At the opening of the plenary, the Honorable Minister of Transport and Infocommunications participated as a panel member during the High Level Panel session on Global Digital Governance: Promise or Pipedream?.
Yang Berhormat Dato shared Brunei Darussalam’s perspective on navigating the complexities of global digital policy, in addition to emphasizing the importance of international cooperation in achieving equitable and inclusive digital governance. In addition to stressing, the potential risk of misuse and uncontrolled proliferation of digital technology.
While at the 9th AMCC, which was chaired by the Minister of Digital Development and Information and the minister responsible for the Smart Nation and Cyber Security, Singapore, the Honorable Madam Josephine Teo, saw ASEAN ministers launch the ASEAN Regional Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT ).
Meanwhile, the ASEAN Regional CERT will enable stronger regional cyber security incident response coordination and critical information infrastructure (CII) protection cooperation, including for cross-border CII such as banking, finance, communication and transportation.
He also emphasized that the operation of the ASEAN Regional CERT is an important step in ASEAN’s efforts to reduce cyber threats, especially with ASEAN member countries facing cyber threats that are increasingly complex and enabled by artificial intelligence (AI).
In addition to emphasizing the importance of the ASEAN Regional CERT Task Force in consolidating existing efforts into a best practice book to be shared across the region.
Lessons and experience gained by ASEAN member countries over the years, he explained, will increase capacity in incidents with significant response, crisis management and post-incident recovery.
Recent major cyber incidents have reinforced the need for closer cooperation among ASEAN member states, allowing for a faster and more effective response to threats, especially those that cross borders.
The collaborative approach covers Critical Information Infrastructure Protection (CIIP), where promoting CIIP among national CERTs will help ASEAN member states meet their commitments under the Regional Action Plan to implement cyber security norms.
The Honorable Dato also held a bilateral meeting with the Digital Minister for Malaysia, His Excellency Gobind Singh Deo; United States (US) Ambassador for Cyberspace and Digital Policy, His Excellency Nathaniel C Fick, and a delegation from the US Chamber of Commerce.
Discussions focused on exchanging views and best practices in cyber security, focusing on current regional developments, key challenges and areas of mutual interest to strengthen bilateral relations.
He also led a working visit by members of the National Cyber Security Committee to the GovWare 2024 Conference and Exhibition and to the offices of major Singapore-based social media platforms, including Meta, Microsoft, as well as organizations including Open Government Product Singapore, the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA). and various companies related to cyber security.
The visit focused on creating collaboration, building capacity, strengthening best practices and addressing critical issues such as online fraud, fraud and cyber security threats.
The Honorable Dato’s entourage consisted of the Deputy Permanent Secretary (Infocommunications), Haji Hairul Mohd Daud bin Haji Abdul Karim; Brunei’s Interim Cyber Security Commissioner (CSB), Awang Shamsul Bahri bin Haji Kamis; and senior officials from MTIC.
While for the working visit, it was joined by members and representatives of the National Cyber Security Committee consisting of officers from the Prime Minister’s Department, the Royal Brunei Police Force, the Brunei Darussalam Information Technology Industry Authority (AITI) and CSB.