KUALA LUMPUR: Microsoft Malaysia is fully supportive of the Paris Call for Trust & Security in Cyberspace (Paris Call), an initiative to bring various countries together to counter the threat of cyberwarfare.
Its legal, government and corporate affairs director (ASEAN and new markets) Dr Jasmine Begum said the Paris Call is an important step towards peace and security within today’s digital economy especially in protecting citizens, elections and the internet.
"The Paris Call outlines voluntary cybersecurity principles to achieve this goal, and is backed by one of the world’s largest ever multi-stakeholder group assembled in support of a cybersecurity focused document," Dr Jasmine said, adding that supporters comprise countries, companies and civil society organisations throughout the world.
The Paris Call was launched late last year by French President Emmanuel Macron with the intention of bringing together countries and supporters from across the world on a consensus statement relating to growing concerns about cyber threats.
In Malaysia, organisations that have supported this cause include the National ICT Association of Malaysia (PIKOM), CIMB, Bower Group Malaysia, Kolej Profesional Baitulmal Kuala Lumpur (under Majlis Agama Islam) and leading cybersecurity group, LGMS-Asia Cybersecurity Exchange.
PIKOM chairman Ganesh Kumar Bangah said while perception around cyber threats and cybersecurity has increased, there is a growing need to address the issues surrounding new technologies that are expected to arrive en masse in the near future, especially with the introduction of 5G.
"Cybersecurity is clearly a big concern given the growing role of the digital economy and its rising contributions to the overall ICT industry and economy,” he said, adding that cyberattacks do not discriminate between organisation, business sizes or individuals.
Jasmine said success in advancing cybersecurity requires an approach that is not only multinational, but multi-stakeholder in nature.
"In this light, the Paris Call is an important step on the path toward digital peace, creating a stronger foundation for progress ahead," she said.