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Microsoft (MSFT: NASDAQ) Introduces the Asia Pacific First Public Sector Cyber Security Executive Council in Seven Countries
Cybercrime is causing significant disruption and economic damage globally, resulting in financial losses and operational impacts worth trillions of dollars to individuals and businesses.

By
Apac CIOOutlook | Thursday, March 09, 2023
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Microsoft has launched the Asia Pacific Public Sector Cyber Security Executive Council to address cyber security challenges faced by public sector organisations in seven markets.
FREMONT, CA: The council intends to expedite collaborations between public and private sectors in cybersecurity and strengthen their response to cyber threats in the region by leveraging the expertise of policymakers, influencers and cyber security professionals from Brunei, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. This will involve sharing intelligence on potential cyberattacks and working together in a coordinated manner.
Cybercrime is causing significant disruption and economic damage globally, resulting in financial losses and operational impacts worth trillions of dollars to individuals and businesses. This has led to a reduction in trust in the digital economy and the internet, posing a threat to national security. Furthermore, the Asia Pacific region continues to experience higher than average encounter rates for malware and ransomware attacks, with rates 1.6 and 1.7 times higher than the rest of the world, respectively.
To effectively combat cybercrime, no single entity can do it alone. Recognising this, Microsoft (MSFT: NASDAQ) has created the first Asia Pacific Public Sector Cyber Security Executive Council. This council unites policymakers from government and state agencies, as well as technology and industry leaders, to establish a robust communication channel for addressing cyber threats and sharing best practices among participating countries.
Fifteen policymakers from Brunei, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand have partnered with Microsoft's cybersecurity professionals to form a council dedicated to promoting public-private partnerships in cybersecurity and sharing threat intelligence. This collaborative effort aims to build a community where resources and technology can be shared openly and promptly to strengthen their response against cyberattacks. The council plans to meet virtually every quarter to maintain a continuous exchange of information and stay up-to-date with the latest cybersecurity solutions.
During the Microsoft APAC Public Sector Summit on May 6, 2021, Satya Nadella, the CEO of Microsoft, spoke about how the company is supporting nations in their digital transformation efforts. He noted that there has been a second wave of digital transformation over the past year, with governments accelerating their adoption of technology to build resilience and transform. Nadella stressed the importance of having a strong digital foundation for the public sector to succeed and highlighted the value of a data-driven strategy. He also reiterated Microsoft's commitment to supporting national empowerment plans, which include the establishment of new data centre regions in New Zealand, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
To stay protected, organisations and governments need to implement a zero-trust mindset. The establishment of the Asia Pacific Public Sector Cyber Security Executive Council is timely, as stakeholders in the ecosystem can collaborate to prioritise national cybersecurity defence. The panel was attended by three founding members of the council: CyberSecurity Malaysia, National Information Society Agency Korea, and National Cybersecurity Agency Thailand. This information was reported by Business Standard.
Microsoft has announced the launch of the Asia Pacific Public Sector Cyber Security Executive Council, which aims to address cyber security challenges faced by public sector organisations across seven markets in the region. The council will provide a platform for senior security executives from government agencies, critical infrastructure providers, and state-owned enterprises to collaborate and share best practices, insights, and strategies to strengthen cyber security posture. The council members will also have access to Microsoft's threat intelligence and security technologies to enhance their security capabilities.