Web-based ideologies a threat, says Abdullah
K KabilanPublished: Apr 10, 2001 3:33 AM | Updated: Jan 29, 2008 10:21 AM
Ideological differences advocated on the Internet can damage to the country's political situation and undermine national credibility, Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said today.
"These ideological differences focus on altering public and elite opinions and can have adverse consequences to the interests of the nation," said Abdullah in his keynote address at the launch of the National Information and Communications Technology Security and Emergency Response Centre ([#1]Niser[/#]) in Kuala Lumpur.
His speech was read out by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Bernard Dompok.
Abdullah said that these ideological campaigns often involve lies, disinformation and manipulation of information on the Internet and will lead to a breakdown of the nation's social, political and security order.
He identified the source of such campaigns as coming from "hostile nations and destructive and irresponsible newsgroups and websites" and could also involve deception or interference in local media.
"I would like to urge the people to be wary of this form of attack. The government is aware and concerned with the invasion of privacy through the Internet and the need to enhance cyber security at all levels.
"For this, the government is looking into the development and revision of the necessary cyber laws and regulations. The government will also introduce the Personal Data Protection Act to regulate the collection, holding, processing and use of personal data by any person," said Abdullah.
Adverse consequences
He added that despite the Internet bringing many benefits to governments, businesses and societies, it also occasionally brings adverse consequences to the political, security, economic and cultural interests of a nation.
Abdullah said that the government was fully aware of the many fresh and unprecedented challenges that information technology and a globalised environment posed to Malaysia's sovereignty.
He said that critical information systems were presently susceptible to various attacks and the threats to information systems were genuine, diversified and growing.
As such, Niser was formed with the intention to address these information technology security issues, he said, adding that the centre will play a major role in promoting information security and advising the government on issues that threaten national security.
"The government is committed to embracing and developing information technology in a manner that will be beneficial as well as pose minimal harm to the nation's sovereignty," he said.
One-stop centre
Earlier, National Information Technology Council (NICT) secretary Tengku Mohd Azzman Shariffadeeen said in his speech that NICT agreed to the establishment of Niser in January 1998.
He said that Niser will be tasked to look into the "darker side" of the Internet which housed "hackers, crackers and all kind of loonies".
At a press conference later, Tengku Mohd said Niser will become a centre to monitor and collate information on information and communications security.
"Niser will help to address the security aspects by developing and introducing new technologies. Niser will also provide its services to all without seeking any profit," he said.
Admitting that Malaysia is facing a shortage of such security experts, he said that website owners, too, must have their own programmes to fortify their sites.
Tengku Mohd said Niser will not have enforcement powers of its own but will collaborate with various government agencies in tackling Internet abusers.
He said that Niser is collaborating with System Administration and Network Security (Sans), a renowned American information technology security institute that provides technical training and security certification.
All affected
He also said that the existing Malaysian Computer Emergency Response Team (Mycert), in operation since 1997, will be absorbed into Niser.
Tengku Mohd added that security problems were not only confined to government websites and t many private and commercial website owners did not publicly complain of hackings into their sites.
Last Friday, chief secretary to the government Samsudin Osman said that there were 89 attacks on 60 government agencies' websites during the past two years.
He said that hacking could be due to carelessness or weaknesses in preventive efforts.
Among the government sites that have been hacked include those of the Immigration Department, the Social Security Organisation (Sosco), the Treasury, the Selangor and Terengganu state governments, the Road Transport Department and the Public Works Department.
"These ideological differences focus on altering public and elite opinions and can have adverse consequences to the interests of the nation," said Abdullah in his keynote address at the launch of the National Information and Communications Technology Security and Emergency Response Centre ([#1]Niser[/#]) in Kuala Lumpur.
His speech was read out by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Bernard Dompok.
Abdullah said that these ideological campaigns often involve lies, disinformation and manipulation of information on the Internet and will lead to a breakdown of the nation's social, political and security order.
He identified the source of such campaigns as coming from "hostile nations and destructive and irresponsible newsgroups and websites" and could also involve deception or interference in local media.
"I would like to urge the people to be wary of this form of attack. The government is aware and concerned with the invasion of privacy through the Internet and the need to enhance cyber security at all levels.
"For this, the government is looking into the development and revision of the necessary cyber laws and regulations. The government will also introduce the Personal Data Protection Act to regulate the collection, holding, processing and use of personal data by any person," said Abdullah.
Adverse consequences
He added that despite the Internet bringing many benefits to governments, businesses and societies, it also occasionally brings adverse consequences to the political, security, economic and cultural interests of a nation.
Abdullah said that the government was fully aware of the many fresh and unprecedented challenges that information technology and a globalised environment posed to Malaysia's sovereignty.
He said that critical information systems were presently susceptible to various attacks and the threats to information systems were genuine, diversified and growing.
As such, Niser was formed with the intention to address these information technology security issues, he said, adding that the centre will play a major role in promoting information security and advising the government on issues that threaten national security.
"The government is committed to embracing and developing information technology in a manner that will be beneficial as well as pose minimal harm to the nation's sovereignty," he said.
One-stop centre
Earlier, National Information Technology Council (NICT) secretary Tengku Mohd Azzman Shariffadeeen said in his speech that NICT agreed to the establishment of Niser in January 1998.
He said that Niser will be tasked to look into the "darker side" of the Internet which housed "hackers, crackers and all kind of loonies".
At a press conference later, Tengku Mohd said Niser will become a centre to monitor and collate information on information and communications security.
"Niser will help to address the security aspects by developing and introducing new technologies. Niser will also provide its services to all without seeking any profit," he said.
Admitting that Malaysia is facing a shortage of such security experts, he said that website owners, too, must have their own programmes to fortify their sites.
Tengku Mohd said Niser will not have enforcement powers of its own but will collaborate with various government agencies in tackling Internet abusers.
He said that Niser is collaborating with System Administration and Network Security (Sans), a renowned American information technology security institute that provides technical training and security certification.
All affected
He also said that the existing Malaysian Computer Emergency Response Team (Mycert), in operation since 1997, will be absorbed into Niser.
Tengku Mohd added that security problems were not only confined to government websites and t many private and commercial website owners did not publicly complain of hackings into their sites.
Last Friday, chief secretary to the government Samsudin Osman said that there were 89 attacks on 60 government agencies' websites during the past two years.
He said that hacking could be due to carelessness or weaknesses in preventive efforts.
Among the government sites that have been hacked include those of the Immigration Department, the Social Security Organisation (Sosco), the Treasury, the Selangor and Terengganu state governments, the Road Transport Department and the Public Works Department.
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