Tech Talk: Cybersecurity Resilience – Building Digital Trust for the Future

On June 25, 2025, University Malaysia of Computer Science & Engineering (UNIMY) hosted Tech Talk: Cybersecurity Resilience in the Era of Digital Transformation, a high-impact event aimed at educating the next generation of tech leaders. With a lineup of expert speakers, thought-provoking topics and an official MOU signing, the event showcased both the challenges and solutions in the modern cybersecurity landscape.

The session began with Avinash from the UNIMY Student Representative Council, who set the tone by highlighting the urgency of cyber awareness and digital responsibility among youth. His message was simple yet powerful: future tech leaders must not only embrace innovation but also defend it.

Speaker: Abdul Halim Jantan
Founder and CEO (Sterling Insurance Brokers Sdn Bhd)

Topic: Cyber Insurance Won’t Save You — Your Security Will

Abdul Halim Jantan laid bare a common misconception: Cyber Insurance ≠ Cybersecurity. Representing Sterling Insurance Brokers, he stressed that insurance is a financial fallback, not a protective shield. For instance, policies won’t cover breaches caused by negligence, such as poor password practices, missing multi-factor authentication (MFA) or untrained employees.

"Your security saves you—insurance just helps you recover," he said.

To even qualify for comprehensive cyber insurance, businesses must now implement MFA, conduct regular staff training and adopt frameworks like ISO 27001 or NIST. He also introduced CYBERSURE, a bundled security + insurance package designed to help SMEs secure affordable protection while upgrading their cyber defences.

Speaker: Dr. Suresh Naidu Sadasivan
Director of Communication and Innovation (Masverse) and Senior Blockchain Consultant (APU)

Topic: Blockchain Revolution: Transforming Trust in the Digital Age

Dr. Suresh Naidu explored how blockchain is reshaping trust in the digital economy. Moving beyond cryptocurrency, he outlined its potential across sectors, from supply chains and healthcare to voting systems and identity verification.

Blockchain’s core strength lies in its transparency and immutability, allowing for tamper-proof records and decentralised trust. In a time when misinformation and data manipulation are rampant, blockchain may be the key to restoring public confidence in digital systems.

Speaker: Ts Hon Fun Ping
Founder and Managing Director (NetAssist (M) Sdn Bhd)

Topic: Regulatory Evolution: Understanding the New Compliance Landscape

A key highlight of the event was Ts Hon Fun Ping’s insightful breakdown of Malaysia’s rapidly evolving cybersecurity legal landscape. Central to his presentation were two major legislative updates that signal a seismic shift in how organisations must approach digital risk. The newly enacted Cyber Security Act 2024 (Act 854), which took effect on 26 August 2024, and targets 11 critical sectors including finance, healthcare and energy.

It mandates incident reporting within six hours, with non-compliance penalties reaching up to RM500,000 or imprisonment. The Act also introduces compulsory annual risk assessments and audits, while placing direct responsibility on company directors to oversee cyber risk at the board level—prompting the crucial question: “Does our board have a response plan?” Meanwhile, the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) amendments (Act 709) have introduced mandatory breach notifications and reclassified biometric data as sensitive, requiring explicit consent.

Penalties for violations have been significantly increased, with fines now reaching up to RM1 million. Together, these laws raise the bar for corporate accountability, firmly embedding cybersecurity into boardroom discussions rather than relegating it solely to the IT department.

Speaker: Melbourne Lim
Manager Cyber, Digital Privacy and Trust (Deloitte Southeast Asia)

Topic: Beyond Compliance - A Blueprint for Building a Privacy Program

Melbourne Lim took compliance to the next level by championing the idea of Privacy by Design, embedding privacy principles into every system and process from the start. This is no longer just best practice, it’s a competitive advantage.

3 Steps to Effective Compliance (Deloitte’s Framework):

• People: Train employees, appoint a Data Protection Officer (DPO)
• Process: Update internal data handling and breach response plans
• Technology: Leverage data encryption, access controls and monitoring tools
  
  Melbourne also revealed that 85% of consumers steer clear of businesses after a data breach and this is a powerful reminder of how crucial digital trust is in today’s economy.

The event continued with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between BAC Education and PIKOM Academy, an educational initiative by PIKOM, the National Tech Association of Malaysia, symbolising a new era of collaboration, focused on bridging the talent gap in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector.

Raja Singham, Founder & Chief Future Officer of BAC Education, reminded attendees that future-ready education is essential for national resilience.

Mr. Anthony Raja Devadoss, Chair of PIKOM Academy, added that public-private collaboration is key to closing the digital skills gap.

This partnership aims to elevate digital literacy, boost employability and develop Malaysia’s next generation of cybersecurity professionals.

Panel Discussion & Q&A
Moderated by Thillai Raj Ramanathan (Chief Technology Officer, BAC Education)

The afternoon ended with an interactive panel discussion, allowing attendees to engage directly with experts. Discussions ranged from AI in cybersecurity to ethical hacking and career pathways in tech, reinforcing that cyber resilience is everyone's responsibility, not just the IT department’s.

Tech Talk: Cybersecurity Resilience in the era of Digital Transformation was was a wake-up call. As cyber threats grow in complexity, businesses, students and policymakers alike must step up. The future belongs to those who can secure, adapt and build trust in a digital-first world.

If you missed this talk, stay tuned for the next Next Gen Fintech: Shaping the Future of Finance coming up soon!