Cybercriminals are getting smarter with AI, Malaysia must stay one step ahead, says Mosti

Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Chang Lih Kang said Malaysia must strengthen its cybersecurity defences as criminals increasingly use AI to launch sophisticated attacks. — Bernama pic

First Published: Wednesday, 28 Oct 2026 1:41 PM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 28 — Malaysia must strengthen proactive cybersecurity measures as cybercriminals increasingly use artificial intelligence (AI) to automate attacks, identify vulnerabilities and create more convincing scams, said Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Chang Lih Kang.

He said traditional security measures alone were no longer sufficient to address increasingly sophisticated cyber threats, requiring organisations to adopt continuous monitoring, early threat detection and proactive security measures.

“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.

“AI itself can become a powerful tool for cybersecurity professionals, helping them identify suspicious activities, analyse vulnerabilities and respond more effectively to emerging threats,” he said when officiating the LGMS AI Cybersecurity Summit 2026 here today.

Chang said organisations must protect AI applications, models and data alongside conventional information technology infrastructure, with responsible AI adoption supported by technical safeguards, risk management and human oversight.

The minister said the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (Mosti) had developed the National Guidelines on AI Governance and Ethics (AIGE), outlining seven principles for responsible AI development and use, including privacy, security, transparency and accountability.

Chang said cybersecurity also presented opportunities for Malaysia to develop homegrown technologies and intellectual property under the “Made by Malaysia” aspiration highlighted in Budget 2027.

“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,” he said.

In this regard, he welcomed LGMS Bhd’s unveiling of five Malaysian-developed cybersecurity solutions addressing AI application security, software vulnerabilities, credential exposure, digital attack surfaces and cyber intrusions.

The five solutions unveiled today were AI & LLM Application Security Assessment, NOVA, SPECTA, AI-driven Attack Surface Management and Next-generation Deception.

Chang said Malaysia must also strengthen its pool of cybersecurity specialists, engineers, researchers and AI professionals through closer collaboration among universities, research institutions, government agencies and industry to create high-value jobs and capture greater economic value from technological advancement. — Bernama