ASEAN officials commit to digital transformation, cybersecurity
AKLAN, PHILIPPINES — Officials from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) maintained their goal of pushing for digital transformation and improved cybersecurity in the region.
During its 3rd ASEAN Digital Ministers Meeting held in the Philippines, the ministers said that they recognized “the importance of a digitally inclusive society in ASEAN.”
They also agreed to strengthen connections and cooperation among the bloc’s member states and dialogue partners to accelerate digital transformation across the region.
In particular, ASEAN members were urged to cooperate and implement the Asean Digital Masterplan 2025, the Bandar Seri Begawan Roadmap on digital transformation, and the first part of an Asean-European Union guide on data transfers “to be able to adapt to the changes brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic in a more sustainable and responsive way.”
The agency also called for a “people-centered, safe, secure and relevant” digital transformation aimed at increasing the use of e-government and new business models.
The ministers have also touched on the subject of cybercrime and promised to tap into an enhanced cooperation in cybersecurity, data privacy and Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT)-related activities.
Philippine representative and Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Ivan Uy said that given continued cybersecurity threats, it is best that all nations unite in working hand in hand in dealing with such situations.
He also noted that the CERT initiative — which was first launched in Singapore — could help the country and other ASEAN nations combat the rising threat of online scams.
ASEAN comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
