Intel Security revealed findings of the Intel Security Southeast Asia Cyber Awareness Study, which looked at organizations’ outlook towards the current state of cybersecurity management, their views on working with cybersecurity vendors and their cybersecurity response preparedness levels. The study gathered opinions of over 2,000 IT professionals across Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines.
Key findings of the Intel Security South East Asia Cyber Awareness Study revealed the following:
- Complexity of managing cybersecurity: 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. Forty-four 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,
- 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.
- Working with cybersecurity vendors: 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.
David Allott, director of cyber defense, Asia Pacific, Intel Security said, “Organizations need to understand the perils of the cyberspace they operate in. With the digital economy in Southeast Asia set to hit $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.”
