Managing cybersecurity has become more complex, reveals the Intel Security South East Asia Cyber Awareness Study.
Of the countries surveyed, about 1 in 3 respondents from Thailand and almost 1 in 2 respondents from Singapore felt that managing cybersecurity had become more complex. In fact, in Singapore, only 20 percent of respondents believe that it had become less complex. 44 percent of respondents from Philippines, the country reported to be the least “cyber mature” in Southeast Asia, also felt managing cybersecurity had become more complex.
In contrast, respondents from Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam felt managing cybersecurity had become less complex at 31 percent, 34 percent and 41 percent respectively.
When it came to organizational preparedness, 32 percent and 37 percent of respondents from Malaysia and Vietnam respectively believed that their organizations were less prepared to tackle cybersecurity now than they were 12 months before.
Collaboration is key to navigating the complex cybersecurity space. When asked about whether their organizations would work with more cybersecurity vendors, 46 percent of all respondents stated that their organizations would be working with more cybersecurity vendors.
“Organizations need to understand the perils of the cyberspace they operate in,” said David Allott, Director of Cyber Defense, Asia Pacific, Intel Security. “With the digital economy in Southeast Asia set to hit US$200 billion by 2025, there is plenty of allure for cybercriminals looking for a lucrative payday. Organizations need to identify the key parts of their business that they need to secure, and work with cybersecurity specialists who provide tailored and holistic solutions that address their needs.”
While the emphasis placed on increased collaboration is a step forward, Intel Security suggests the adoption of a holistic approach towards cybersecurity that involves a combination of various technologies, and the education of employees.
Allott added, “Powerful, emerging technologies like machine learning and artificial intelligence can help fight cybercriminals, who also are constantly innovating. Intel Security believes that organizations need to fully utilize these new technologies to augment their existing solutions, and also educate their employees on the best practices to adopt when conducting business in cyberspace. Only through such a concentrated effort can organizations truly be digitally safe.”