MALAYSIA is short of around 12,000 cybersecurity experts of various fields to tackle cyberattacks, one of the challenges faced by the government in its national digitalisation agenda.

Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the country requires around 27,000 cybersecurity experts but currently has only 15,000 to address the issue.

“This is a huge gap when we understand the need for cybersecurity, and companies, especially those in the digital economy, they really prioritise cybersecurity and there will be an urgency to set up their own cybersecurity units.

“Every company, depending on its size, might need between 20 and 30 people and if we look at the small-and-medium enterprises as an example, there really is a need,” he last night.

“The matter can be overcome with the cooperation of public and private institutions of higher learning as well as by bringing in foreign experts.

“Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim did state in Budget 2024 that there will be some incentives to bring Malaysians back through TalentCorp and also foreigners who can serve in Malaysia, along with other incentives,” he added.

Fahmi said that his ministry has not set any target or timeframe to fulfil the need for cybersecurity experts as the industry is developing very quickly.

“There’s no estimated time but as this sector is developing rapidly, the number (of cybersecurity experts) required will change yearly. When there are more companies set up there will be a need, so I foresee that the number will be dynamic the next year, maybe bigger,” he said. – Bernama, October 21, 2023.