KUALA LUMPUR: The Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry (Mosti) is focusing on strengthening research and development (R&D), supporting technology commercialisation, and creating opportunities for Malaysian innovations to reach the market.
This is guided by the National Guidelines on AI Governance and Ethics (AIGE), which outline seven principles for the responsible development and use of artificial intelligence, to ensure emerging technologies are developed and adopted responsibly.
These include privacy, security, transparency and accountability, all of which are essential to building public confidence in AI technologies.
Mosti Minister Datuk Chang Lih Kang said that as artificial intelligence transforms industries, improves productivity and enables businesses to operate more efficiently, it is also changing the nature of cyber threats.
“Cybercriminals can now use AI to automate attacks, identify vulnerabilities and create increasingly convincing scams.
“Organisations face new risks arising from their own adoption of AI. Beyond protecting conventional IT infrastructure, they must also safeguard AI applications, models and the data that power them.
“This creates new responsibilities for businesses, technology providers and cybersecurity professionals,” he said at the LGMS AI Cybersecurity Summit 2026 yesterday.
Chang said that in Budget 2027, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim reinforced Malaysia’s commitment to advancing the digital economy, strengthening infrastructure and accelerating the adoption of artificial intelligence.
He said these priorities are aligned with Malaysia’s ambition to become an AI Nation by 2030.
“However, as we accelerate digital transformation, we must also recognise the risks that come with it. Cybersecurity cannot be an afterthought. It must be integral to how we develop, deploy, and use technology. Without trust and security, even the most advanced digital systems will struggle to gain public confidence,” Chang remarked.
He also emphasised that industry experts must move towards continuous monitoring, early threat detection and proactive security measures, adding that AI itself can become a powerful tool for cybersecurity professionals, helping them identify suspicious activities, analyse vulnerabilities and respond more effectively to emerging threats.
“If attackers are using AI to become faster and more sophisticated, we must ensure that our defenders are equipped to stay ahead.
“Ultimately, our objective should be to prevent cyber incidents wherever possible, rather than simply responding after damage has occurred,” Chang said.
He further said that trust in AI depends not only on what the technology can do, but also on how safely and responsibly it is used.
“Beyond governance, cybersecurity also presents significant opportunities for Malaysian technology companies.
“As demand for advanced security solutions grows, we want to see more local businesses developing proprietary technologies, building specialised expertise and expanding into international markets,” he added.
Chang further added that developing competitive technologies requires more than research and investment.
“As Malaysia advances towards AI Nation 2030, we must strengthen our pool of cybersecurity specialists, engineers, researchers and AI professionals.
“Closer collaboration between universities, research institutions, government agencies and industry will be essential.
“We must ensure that our talent possesses the skills needed to address emerging threats while creating opportunities for Malaysian innovators to develop and commercialise their ideas.
“Ultimately, the “Made by Malaysia” aspiration is not simply about producing technology locally. It is about creating high-value jobs, developing Malaysian intellectual property and ensuring that our country captures greater economic value from technological advancement,” Chang said.
At the event, LGMS Bhd unveiled five advanced “Made by Malaysia” cybersecurity solutions aimed at helping Malaysian organisations move beyond traditional, periodic security testing towards continuous, AI-driven protection as cyberattacks become increasingly sophisticated, automated and difficult to detect.
Researched, designed and developed entirely in Malaysia, these solutions address emerging vulnerabilities in AI applications, software systems, compromised credentials, exposed digital assets and active cyber intrusions, reflecting the growing need for more proactive approaches to cybersecurity.
LGMS managing director Fong Choong Fook said the five solutions marked a significant step in the company’s efforts to address a changing cybersecurity landscape, where attackers increasingly use AI to automate malicious activities at unprecedented speed and scale.
“Cybersecurity has traditionally relied heavily on assessments conducted at certain points in time. However, attackers do not wait for an organisation’s next security review.
“With AI, they can continuously probe systems for weaknesses, automate attacks and exploit vulnerabilities much faster than before,” said Fong.
He said organisations need to move from reactive security testing towards continuous assessment, monitoring and earlier threat detection.
“Our five new solutions are designed to help address this shift, combining advanced technologies with the experience and judgement of cybersecurity professionals,” he added.
LGMS delivers cybersecurity services to local, regional, and international clients across various industries.
