Global Event

PUTRAJAYA: The computers of the Immigration Department and several core government agencies will not be allowed to fail in times of emergency or crisis. 

Malaysian Administration Modernisation and Management Planning Unit (Mampu) ICT security division director Wan Mohd Rosdi Wan Dollah said the departments would be classified as critical national ICT infrastructures and the information stored in their computers was of utmost importance to the country. 

“The issue here is that computers in these agencies must not fail. Once these agencies have been identified as Critical National ICT Infrastructures, we will station teams of computer emergency response officers at these places,” he told The Star here yesterday. 

Besides the Immigration Department, other agencies include the National Registration Department which keeps the personal data of all Malaysians; the Customs Department; and airport operations – where there is heavy reliance on computers. 

Wan Mohd Rosdi said the emergency response teams would act as the first level of support to Mampu in handling security incidences, local monitoring and disseminating advice relating to ICT security to agencies under their supervision. 

Security on the computer systems in these agencies, added Wan Mohd Rosdi, would also be strengthened and “best practice” policies would be put in place. 

“Our department is currently in discussion with the Science, Technology and Inno-vation Ministry which overlooks the national policy on cyber security in the country,” he said. 

He added that any instance of cyber-intrusion and terrorism would have serious implications on the government information system and assets. 

Currently, Wan Mohd Rosdi said computer security requirements were based on those put in place in individual agencies and not in accordance to specific baselines or standards approved by the Government.

(SOURCE: The STAR Online)