Factors contributing to the shortage of talent in Malaysia’s cybersecurity profession include low salaries and a lack of exposure.
Cybersecurity specialist Fong Choong Fook highlighted that, despite Malaysia offering competitive wages, the workforce tends to prefer Singapore due to higher pay, especially when considering the exchange rate, according to The Edge Malaysia.
Fong suggested that the government should provide incentives or tax deductions to attract talent to work in Malaysia.
Prof Dr Suhaidi Hassan, a computing network lecturer at Universiti Utara Malaysia, stated that the insufficient public awareness of the importance of having more cybersecurity experts.
He pointed out that the Covid-19 pandemic led to increased information hacking, highlighting the need for more experts in Malaysia to address cybersecurity challenges. Suhaidi mentioned collaborations with CyberSecurity Malaysia (CSM) to offer programs at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels to enhance the quality of cybersecurity education.
He also stressed the importance of increasing both the quantity and quality of cybersecurity professionals to stay updated and effectively handle cybersecurity attacks.
Regarding the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology, Suhaidi advocated for Malaysia’s adoption of AI, emphasising the need to empower local researchers and the national cyber technical agency, CSM. He also highlighted the importance of passing the Cyber Security Bill in Parliament.
Previously, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim indicated a goal of having at least 25,000 cybersecurity workers in Malaysia by 2025. However, estimates suggest that the market will only have around 13,000 workers by that time.
AI can help address the shortage
Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil has highlighted the potential of utilising AI technology to address the current shortage of expert manpower in the field of cybersecurity.
He said that off-the-shelf applications using AI can be adapted as solutions to reduce dependence on expert manpower. While acknowledging the small cohorts providing expertise in cybersecurity in public and private institutions of higher learning, Fahmi underscored the role of AI technology in enhancing cybersecurity efforts.
However, he clarified that despite leveraging AI, the importance of expert manpower remains crucial.
Fahmi gave the example of creating the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) position within organisations, stressing its significance in handling and coordinating various aspects of cybersecurity.
