SPEECH BY
THE HONORABLE PEHIN ORANG KAYA HAMZAH PAHLAWAN
DATO SERI SETIA AWANG HAJI ABDULLAH
BIN BEGAWAN MUDIM DATO PADUKA HAJI BAKAR,
MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS
ON THE OCCASION OF
THE LAUNCHING OF NATIONAL BROADBAND POICY &
CYBERSECURITY AWARENESS WEEK 2014
"THE FUTURE, OUR RESPONSIBILITY TOGETHER"
TUESDAY, 18 MUHARRAM 1436 / 11TH
NOVEMBER 2014
2:00PM
SONGKET HALL
RIZQUN INTERNATIONAL HOTEL
Bismillah Hir Rahman Nir Rahim
Alhamdulillahirabilalamin
Wassalatu Wassala Muala Asyrafil Anbiyai Walmursalen, Sayyidina
Muhammadin Waaala Waalahi Wasahbihi Ajmaen
Yang
Mulia Awang Abdul Mutalib bin Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Setia Dato Paduka
Haji Mohd Yusof, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Communications, and
Chairman of the Authority for Info-communications Technology Industry of
Brunei Darussalam (AITI)
Your Excellencies Ambassadors and High Commissioners,
Permanent Secretaries,
Dato Seri Pahlawan Awg Bahrin bin Mohd Noor, Commissioner of Police,
Deputy Permanent Secretaries,
Yang Mulia Awg Haji Yahkup bin Haji Menudin, Chief Executive, AITI
AITI's Members of the Authority, Directors and Senior Officials,
Invited Speakers, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen;
Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh and good afternoon,
1. "The Future, Our responsibility together".
1.1 This is the theme of today's event, the Launch of National Broadband Policy and the Cybersecurity Awareness Week 2014.
1.2 May seems a bit cliché to some, but it is very accurate in the context of broadband and cybersecurity, especially within the environment we live in today.
2. 'The future' as referred to in the theme, carries a wider meaning.
2.1 It is more than just about technological development, the emergence of new gadgets and services.
2.2 It encompasses on the issue of sustainability, security and long-term progress.
2.3
Includes the way our society interacts and conducts transactions in
ways, which would be different in how things are being done today.
3. This is the future that we have in mind.
3.1 The Government of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam has set out Wawasan 2035
3.2 Features of Wawasan 2035:-
i. knowledgeable and highly skilled society;
ii. improvement in quality of life;
iii. and sustainable development.
4. The Ministry of Communications views broadband as the enabler for this future.
4.1 In line with Wawasan 2035, our vision of Smart Society
4.2 All members of the society are able to do transactions and interact effectively in a broadband-enabled environment.
5 Correlation between national policy and international best practices
5.1 According to the World Bank, an increase in 10% of broadband penetration will boost GDP growth by 1.3%.
5.2. Government actively taking steps to diversify the economy beyond the oil and gas sector.
5.3
Contribution of communications sector stands at 3% to non-oil and gas
sector, and about 1.1% of total GDP in 2013 (source: JPKE)
5.4
This is where ICT industry can play its role to support economic growth
through innovation, enabling effective management of resources and
providing employment opportunities.
5.5
MOC & AITI working with relevant agencies (such as JPKE) by
ensuring initiatives are implemented in complementing manner, to have a
current and wider assessment of ICT industry development.
6. Proud to launch the National Broadband Policy today.
6.1
This policy document sets our the Government's plans and goals for
broadband over the next four years (2014 – 2017) by focusing on three
key themes:-
i. Ensuring access to broadband connectivity for all;
ii. Improving the value, quality and affordability of broadband; and
iii. Maximizing the adoption and utilization of broadband.
7.
The formulation by the Ministry of Communications and AITI started back
in October 2013 with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
and Korea Communications Commission (KCC).
7.1 The initial process started with a fact-finding mission which involved interviews with various agencies, both Government and private sectors.
7.2 Early findings from the mission were tabled during the National Broadband Workshop held on 31st October 2014.
7.3 This initial process concluded with the handing over of the report by ITU to the Ministry of Communications on 17th May 2014.
8. The National Broadband Policy contains:-
8.1 Policy objectives on the 3 key themes
8.2 Supported by the implementation plan with identified targets and indicators to measure progress
8.3 In measuring progress, current outlook as follows:-
8.4 Appreciate the complementing initiatives
from various stakeholders, such as the Government agencies, AITI, BEDB,
service providers and players of the ICT industry for the respective
contributions.
9. We wish to take this formulation process and current progress further.
9.1
To ensure that the National Broadband Policy is a comprehensive policy
that addresses the interests and challenges faced by our stakeholders,
including the users.
9.2 Upon
launching, all stakeholders, service providers, players in the ICT
industry and the users, invited to give their views and perspectives on
the policy document.
9.3 Policy document will be available for downloads from our websites, both the Ministry of Communications and AITI. (www.mincom.gov.bn & www.aiti.gov.bn )
9.4
Views and comments on the policy document are very much welcomed,
within a time frame until end of January 2015. AITI will serve as the
Secretariat for your feedback which can be emailed to broadband@aiti.gov.bn
9.5 Feedback received will be compiled and analysed.
10. This has been the approach by the Ministry of Communications and AITI for policies and regulations in the ICT sector.
10.1 Feedback from stakeholders and users will make it a holistic document.
10.2 With the implementation of the National Broadband Policy, we foresee a broadband-oriented environment
10.3 That offers services, which are secure, easily accessible, reliable and available with various choices at affordable prices to the public.
10.4
As an enabler across many sectors of the economy, it is our hope that
the broadband-enabled environment that we interact and transact in
today, is a reliable and secure environment. I believe our stakeholders shares this common vision.
Excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
11. A secure environment is vital for progress.
11.1 How secure is our network infrastructure? How safe is our environment?
11.2 In 2013, International Telecommunication Union (ITU) shared the following statistics:-
i. Annual losses of over US$110billion caused by cybercrime;
ii. Almost half of teenagers aged 13 to 17 have experienced some sort of cyberbullying in 2012.
11.3 The outlook seems more grim with statistics reported by Symantec Corporation, in the Internet Security Threat Report 2014:-
i.
2011 was described as the Year of Data Breach, not only with breaches
but also by plagued by breaches but also by activities of hactivism;
ii. If 2011 was the Year of Data Breach, 2013 was best described as The Year of Mega Breach. Why?
a. Total number of breaches was 62% greater than in 2012;
b. Nearly 500 million identities exposed
in 2013, exposing customer' credit card information, birthdates, home
addresses, medical records and other personal information;
c. 38% of global mobile phone users had already experienced mobile cybercrime;
d. 12% social media users
has experienced their account being hacked into with strangers stealing
identities, and connecting them with people they don't know; and
e. Attackers are now moving to the Internet of Everything, with baby monitors, security cameras and routers being hacked into.
12. Threats are becoming more imminent and bold.
12.1
Nobody seems to be immune, including governments, corporation,
individuals even the vulnerable members of the society, especially young
users, and even babies.
12.2 Making it more crucial for collaboration.
12.3 Cybersecurity is, indeed, our responsibility together.
13.
The Ministry of Communications is pleased with the collective approach
taken by various agencies to protect our users against online threats.
13.1 Child Online Protection Framework
(COP) which has been developed with ITU and IMPACT (International
Multilateral Partnership Against Cyber Threats). A sustainable Action
Plan was developed involving various agencies to address
internet-related crimes that are targeting those who are young and
vulnerable within the society.
13.2 COP Framework was handed over from Ministry of Communications to Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports in March 2014.
13.3 The Content Advisory Council
in place with members from various Government agencies, addressing
online contents that are against our cultural, social and religious
norms;
13.4 Brunei National Cybersecurity Framework currently developed by the E-Government National Centre, Prime Ministers' Office
14. Cybersecurity needs to be addressed beyond the current approach;
14.1 As businesses are increasingly going online, cyber security threats and risks will also grow simultaneously;
14.2 The more people go online, becomes opportunities for cybercriminals and hackers to be more active;
14.3 A progressive future relies on a safe and secure environment;
14.4 SMEs, innovators and users, need assurances that they are able to thrive in a secure environment.
15.
Pleased to announce a positive outcome from the collaboration between
the Ministry of Communications, Ministry of Finance, Prime Ministers'
Office (E-Government National Centre) and AITI.
15.1 In October 2014, we have received consent for the Controller under the Electronic Transactions Act 2008 to be transferred from the Minister of Finance to the Minister of Communications.
16. What does this mean to the users? How can it make our online environment and transaction more secure?
16.1 The Electronic Transaction Act 2008 will be reviewed and updated. This Act, among others, aims to:-
i. facilitate electronic commerce;
ii. eliminate barriers to electronic commerce resulting from uncertainties over writing and signature requirements; and
iii. promote the development of the legal and business infrastructure necessary to implement secure electronic commerce.
16.2 Among the significant provision includes the effect of digital signatures to secure electronic records.
16.3 Closely linked to digital signature is public key infrastructure (PKI), which will verify the digital signature.
16.4 With the recent consent received in October 2014, the Controller For Public Key Infrastructure is the Minister of Communications
16.5 AITI has been appointed as the Root Controller Authority.
17. With this recent progress, we foresee the development of a legal and regulatory framework towards a more secure environment.
17.1 Addressing important aspects such as key security controls, authentication and data protections.
17.2
The Ministry of Communications and AITI will work with the relevant
agencies in developing the plan of actions, and eventually towards the
implementation process.
Conclusion
18. Broadband Development and Cybersecurity requires multi-stakeholder approaches.
18.1
The potential of broadband technology as an enabler for innovation,
creative contents, convenient transactions should be enhanced with
cybersecurity measures.
18.2
Security and integrity of network infrastructure, personal data
protection e-commerce transactions, among others, must be protected
against irresponsible acts of cybercrime.
18.3
Coordination and collaboration between various agencies are the best
mechanism towards a progressive, safe and secure future.
19. Congratulate the collaboration between Ministry of Communications, AITI and other agencies in making the event possible.
19.1
Appreciation also goes to Attorney Generals Chambers and Infocomm
Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) for sharing updates and
experiences.
Thank you and Wabillahi Taufik Walhidayah Wassalamuaalaikum Warahmatullahi.
