Government urged to boost cybersecurity with mandatory agency audits

Cybersecurity audits should be made mandatory for all government agencies to protect critical infrastructure and sensitive data, according to calls from the political establishment. The push for enhanced security measures comes as Malaysia faces mounting concerns over digital threats targeting both public and private sector systems.

Government departments are being urged to conduct thorough assessments of their existing cybersecurity frameworks to pinpoint potential weaknesses. Such audits would enable agencies to identify gaps in their defences and implement corrective measures before vulnerabilities can be exploited by malicious actors.

The initiative reflects growing recognition of cybersecurity's importance to national security and public service delivery. With digital systems increasingly central to government operations, from citizen data management to essential services, the need for robust protective measures has become more pressing.

Experts have long warned that government agencies often lack sufficient resources and expertise to adequately defend against sophisticated cyberattacks. Mandatory audits could help establish baseline security standards across the public sector while ensuring accountability for data protection.