Malaysia must step up cyber vigilance against threats from state-linked hacker groups, according to Malaysia Cyber Consumer Association (MCCA) president Siraj Jalil. He warned that these groups can breach networks and cripple essential services.

Siraj said these well-organised groups are allegedly backed or funded by specific entities. They launch large-scale cyberattacks against organisations and other nations.

Among the prominent groups is the North Korea-linked Lazarus Group. It is believed to be involved in several international hacking incidents. These include attacks on the financial sector and cryptocurrency exchange platforms.

In addition, Siraj said Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) groups linked to Russia and several other nations are also a concern. They can covertly infiltrate systems over extended periods. Their aim is to steal information or disrupt essential operations.

Siraj also commented on the National Cyber Security Agency’s (Nacsa) move to raise the National Cyber Security Threat Level from Low to Moderate. He said the measure reflects the government’s proactive approach to strengthening the protection of the country’s digital infrastructure.

He noted that Malaysia has an increasingly robust cybersecurity foundation. This is built on cooperation among the cybersecurity community, industry and the government. The implementation of the Cyber Security Act 2024 further supports it.

“Malaysia’s cybersecurity is at a commendable level, and all parties, including the cybersecurity community, industry, and the government, consistently enhance preparedness against prevailing threats,” he told Bernama on Monday.

He added that raising the threat level is a precautionary measure. It ensures readiness for any eventuality. It also avoids public panic should an intrusion or disruption to critical services occur.

“We must be prepared for any eventuality because threats can come from individuals, specific groups, or even nations using third parties and state-sponsored groups,” he said.

He explained that such attacks often do not display direct state involvement. Instead, they typically deploy anonymous, unidentified groups to stage attacks against other nations.

Siraj also noted that cyberattacks have become a feature of geopolitical conflicts. Warring parties use cyberspace to target the infrastructure and systems of adversary nations.

In this regard, the nation’s digital defence relies on coordinated efforts. Nacsa is actively driving these efforts alongside CyberSecurity Malaysia, the Royal Malaysian Police, the Malaysian Armed Forces and the Personal Data Protection Department.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was previously reported as saying that Malaysia is a potential target for cyberattacks. He cited the strength of the country’s digital infrastructure and data centres. He also pointed to the government’s firm stance on several international issues, particularly Palestine and Gaza.

Overall, the call for stronger cyber vigilance highlights the need for continued cooperation across government, industry and the cybersecurity community.

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