OPENING ADDRESS BY
AWANG ABDUL MUTALIB PEHIN DATO YUSOF
DEPUTY PERMANENT SECRETARY
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS
NEGARA BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
for
"THE 4th ASEAN – JAPAN GOVERNMENT SECURITY NETWORK WORKSHOP"
Yang Mulia Awang Haji Yahkup bin Haji Menudin, Chief Executive, AITI as Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee
Dr. Reiko Kondo, Counsellor for International Strategy, National Information Security Center, Japan as Chair to this workshop
Mr. Martin Khoo, Deputy Director, InfoComms Development Authority (IDA) of Singapore, as Co-Chair to this workshop
My dear friend, Mr Kyn Anh Nguyen of the ASEAN Secretariat,
Distinguished Delegates from ASEAN Member Countries and Japan,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
1. First
of all, I wish to thank the organisers for inviting me today. Let me
also extend a very warm welcome to all delegates of the 4th ASEAN -
Japan Government Security Network Workshop. Welcome, everyone!
2. We
are living in a dynamic region. In ASEAN today, ICT industry employs
more than 11.7 million people, contributing more than US$32 billion or
more than 3% to ASEAN’s gross domestic product . This vibrancy can go
further. With our close collaboration with Japan, being one of the key
players in the global ICT industry, I am optimistic that we can drive
the region further ahead towards mutual progress and development.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
3. How,
you may ask, can I be that optimistic? I would like to share with you
my observations. Firstly, this collaboration is in line with the ASEAN
ICT Masterplan 2015 (AIM 2015). AIM2015 was launched by the ASEAN
Telecommunication and IT Ministers at their 10th Meeting in Kuala Lumpur
some time in January 2011. This document serves as a clear plan of
action until 2015 to ensure that we achieve the intended objectives.
The vision of AIM2015 “Towards an Empowering and Transformational ICT:
Creating an Inclusive, Vibrant and Integrated ASEAN” accurately captures
the intent and essence of the Masterplan. Through the six Strategic
Thrusts, the AIM2015 highlights the significant potential of ICT across
many sectors and even the various facets of our lives.
4. From the
launch until now, much work has been done by the ASEAN
Telecommunications Senior Officials Meeting (TELSOM) and their Joint
Working Groups, to align the governance and working structure with the
Strategic Thrusts of AIM 2015. This also includes alignment of action
plans and work programs between ASEAN and the dialogue partners.
5. The
event today is a prime example of such alignment. Under AIM2015,
network security is highlighted as one of the key actions supporting the
Strategic Thrust on Infrastructure Development. Under the action plan
to develop a common framework for information security, the sharing of
best practices on the protection of data and information infrastructure
across ASEAN is very much encouraged.
6. At this point, the
collaboration between ASEAN and Japan in continuing the ASEAN - Japan
Government Security Network Workshop into its fourth workshop today is
very much appreciated. With the network and knowledge gained from the
series of these annual workshops, I am sure the outcome has been very
beneficial to ASEAN and Japan.
7. In addition, AIM2015 also calls
for the establishment of the ASEAN Network Security Action Council
(ANSAC) to promote Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) cooperation
and sharing of expertise. With the 1st ANSAC Meeting held yesterday, I
am certain that the targets and deliverable of ANSAC will add more value
to our joint efforts in network security.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
8. My
second observation is on the nature and tenacity of cyber threats
nowadays. The issue of network security is very pertinent. I am sure
all of you would agree with me on this. In recent years, cyber threats
have become more apparent and vicious. In 2007, Estonia’s banking,
media and government websites were bombarded with Distributed Denials of
Services (DDOS) over a three-week period. This has since been known as
Web War I . Losses have also become more significant. Cybercrime cost
businesses US$1trillion in 2008 . With the tenacity of the attacks
and the magnitude of its impact, it is very important for us to keep
track of such concerns. The need to stay vigilant is becoming more
evident.
9. As such, I am very pleased with the content of the
4th ASEAN - Japan Government Security Network Workshop. Important
issues such as best practices for security operations, cloud computing
and mobile security will be discussed in the Workshop. I believe with
sharing of knowledge during the workshop, best practices can be learnt
and new networks can be forged to strengthen our defence against cyber
threats.
10. My third observation is on international cooperation
and coordination. I am very glad to see that the Workshop is very much
enhancing the importance of international cooperation and
coordination. Joint efforts on cyber exercise and awareness programs
are key in addressing threats to network and information security.
11. Recent
developments in cyber security threats would justify this need. On
31st May 2012, the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) called
for greater international co-operation between governments and the ICT
industry to tackle the global nature of today’s cybersecurity threats.
Brunei Darussalam is not an exception. There have been recent incidents
where a certain government ministry’s website had actually been violated
by acts of cyber crimes and threats. As such the relevant authorities
in Brunei Darussalam have come together to put in place immediate
solutions and preventive measures to counter such irresponsible acts.
Identifying solutions, however, would also mean a call for more
intensive research and in particular, stronger collaboration with other
international CERTS.
12. Therefore, ladies and gentlemen, we are
in the midst of a crucial point in research and international
coordination. The workshop is, indeed, very timely in strengthening our
preparedness and international cooperation. In fact, the issue of
cyber security is expected to take centre stage at the upcoming ITU
Telecom World in October 2012 in Dubai.
13. With these recent
happenings and developments, we have a challenging journey ahead of us. I
am confident that with the established network and knowledge learnt
from this Workshop, the implementation of well-coordinated and effective
joint activities to combat the growing threats of cyber attacks will be
possible.
14. With the commitment and expertise that are gathered
here today, I am positive that our concerns and requirements will be
adequately addressed. Lastly, but not least, I wish you all a successful
workshop and I hope you will have an enjoyable stay in Brunei
Darussalam.
Thank you.
[1] ASEAN ICT Masterplan 2015
[2] http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-17868789
[3] McAfee (2009), Broadband : A platform for Progress, A Report by the Broadband Commission for Digital Development. ITU and UNESCO, June 2011. www.broadbandcommission.org/Reports/Report_2.pdf
