ASEAN Stresses Need to Combat Cybercrime

(MENAFN) At the 25th ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Transnational Crime held on Tuesday, Home Affairs Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail stressed the urgent need for ASEAN countries to strengthen their collaboration to combat escalating cybercrime threats. He described cybercrime as a growing and critical challenge demanding immediate and coordinated action.

In his opening address, Saifuddin highlighted the increasing sophistication of cybercriminal activities and warned that the swift technological advances leveraged by criminals call for a proactive and timely response from member states.

"The rising threat of cybercrime, everything from financial scams to ransomware attacks, clearly shows us that this isn't just a future problem; it's a pressing issue right now," he declared.

He further underlined the necessity for digital defense systems to keep pace with evolving technologies. This includes embracing innovations like artificial intelligence—used responsibly—to greatly enhance capabilities in detecting, preventing, and enforcing laws against cyber offenses.

In stressing the importance of unity, Saifuddin pointed out that in today’s fragmented global landscape, international cooperation is essential to maintaining regional peace and security.

Such collaboration, he explained, is crucial not only for confronting common security threats but also for safeguarding economic stability and upholding public confidence in institutions. ASEAN must back its consensus-driven approach with decisive measures to effectively address these emerging challenges, he urged.

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