Speech by
Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Abdul Mutalib bin Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Setia Dato Paduka Haji Mohammad Yusof, Minister of Transport and Infocommunications
At the
Launching Ceremony of DST InnoConnect Service
on
Tuesday, 25 Safar 1442 / 13 Oktober 2020, 2.00pm
At
DST Headquarters, Tungku Link
Yang Mulia, Radin Sufri bin Radin Basiuni Chief Executive Officer, Datastream Digital Sdn Bhd,
Yang Mulia Members of the Board of Directors of DST,
Yang Berhormat Nik Haffimi binti Abdul Haadii Legislative Council Member, and Member of Digital Economy Council;
Yang Mulia Industry Representatives, Friends from the media, Ladies and Gentlemen;
Assalamualaikum Warah Matullahi Wabarakatuh and good afternoon,
1. Today, I would like to talk about one of the Strategic Enablers under the Digital Economy Masterplan 2025 that has just been launched in June this year, 2020. This particular subject is a global and regional challenge that poses threats to every corners of the world. There is no exception, and whether we want it or not, it has come to be a very relevant aspect in our era of Digital Economy today.
2. What I’m referring to is quite a familiar term, and that is - Cybersecurity. Just about a week ago, during the same time I attended a virtual conference on the Singapore International Cyber Week (SICW), that was when I also received DST’s invitation to this launching event. At that time, I thought this invitation could not have come at a better time.
3. The recent SICW has put forward the theme of Cooperation in the post-COVID future, with a particular focus and much emphasis on cybersecurity. Let me now share some of the key takeaways from the SICW, following observations from the global as well as the regional perspectives that I feel are very relevant to Brunei Darussalam:-
a. First, COVID-19 has globally accelerated digital transformation. This is also very true in the case of Brunei Darussalam. With the support of the industry players and the private sector, we have seen how our digital agenda has been actually accelerated. Alhamdulillah, this includes the usage of new technologies such as AI and big data for policy consideration and management;
b. Secondly, the growth in demand for digital connectivity. In managing the impacts of COVID-19, digital services and platforms have become the solution amidst restriction measures and disruption in the logistics chain. As a result, the need for digital connectivity has become more evident to enable essential services such as online education and working from home.
For Brunei Darussalam, we are also experiencing the surge in demand. Up to July 2020 this year, the demand for fixed broadband and bandwidth utilization has increased by 32% and 52% respectively;
c. Thirdly - cybersecurity. While it has always been at the forefront, the importance of cybersecurity has become more significant especially after COVID-19. Cybersecurity threats and incidents have become more evident with opportunistic and irresponsible actors launching cybersecurity attacks to disrupt critical services and systems. Malicious activities such as phishing and scams capitalizing on COVID-19 have also increased, feeding on public anxiety and uncertainty of the situation.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
4. At the regional level, collaboration in cybersecurity in ASEAN has also been elevated to increase the region’s preparedness and capacity in cybersecurity. In line with these regional and international developments, Brunei Darussalam is also implementing policies and initiatives for our readiness in cybersecurity.
5. It is our utmost priority to ensure a safe and secure cyberspace for Brunei Darussalam. With this in mind, I am very pleased to share with you that His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddien Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Negara Brunei Darussalam has consented to the establishment of Cyber Security Brunei or CSB as the national cyber security agency for Brunei Darussalam. Headed by an interim Commissioner, the CSB has started its operations from 01 August 2020 this year.
6. The CSB serves as the agency that monitors and coordinates national efforts in addressing cyber security threats as well as cyber crime. It is through CSB that strategies, policies and framework governing Cybersecurity are formulated and implemented with the relevant Critical Information Infrastructure (CIIs) as the main constituents.
7. The formation of CSB is timely as one of the key strategic enablers in our digital transformation journey towards making Brunei Darussalam as a Smart Nation. With its vision of ensuring a secure and resilient cyber space for the nation, the CSB is now carrying out 3 main services, namely BruCERT (Brunei Computer Emergency Response Team), National Digital Forensic Laboratory and Cyber Watch Centre (CWC). Ladies and gentlemen, I am very pleased to announce that the CSB official website will soon be going live this afternoon, Insya Allah. I kindly invite all of you to get to know more about CSB by visiting www.csb.gov.bn.
8. Now that we have CSB as our forefront agency for a safer and secure cyberspace, I hope that it will encourage more agencies, organisations and users alike to come up with more innovation and participate in digital economy initiatives with more confidence. I also hope that it will spur more interest from our youths to venture into careers as cybersecurity experts and professionals, hence making our digital transformation more vibrant and sustainable.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
9. With the launch of InnoConnect service today, Alhamdulillah, I am pleased to see a Whole of Nation approach at play, powering the digital transformation in Brunei Darussalam further. I was made to understand that the InnoConnect service, introduced by DST, is a platform that connects various stakeholders and allowing partnership opportunities for co-creation of products and services together with DST.
10. This is indeed a very encouraging initiative that fully supports the Digital Economy Masterplan 2025. Clearly there is a strong alignment of DST’s InnoConnect service with the Masterplan, particularly on the need for a Smart Nation platform that is crucial to support a seamless service delivery among government agencies, businesses and citizens. My heartiest congratulations to DST on this initiative, and thank you for letting me be a part of this journey!
11. In closing, I would like to extend my warm thanks to DST for this opportunity. My sincere appreciation to all involved in the launch of the DST InnoConnect service, and I wish you all the best! Thank you. Wabillahi Taufik Walhidayah Assalamualaikum Warahmahtullahi Wabarakatuh.
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