From 13-17 April, UNIDIR and Malaysia’s National Cyber Security Agency in partnership with Global Affairs Canada, convened a cyber capacity-building and policy workshop in Putrajaya.
Organized by UNIDIR’s Security and Technology Programme, the workshop sought to strengthen Malaysia’s cyber resilience by promoting greater alignment and cooperation among key national actors. It also advanced efforts to operationalize the UN cyber norms and address the growing need for demand-driven and responsive capacity-building, as highlighted by the UN Open-Ended Working Group on ICT Security.
Ranging from the rapid growth of ransomware to supply-chain compromises and AI-enabled disinformation, the workshop addressed the evolving cyber threat landscape and the practical challenges of responding to high-impact ICT incidents. Participants gained a comprehensive picture of how cyber threats can disrupt critical infrastructure and services through scenario-based and multi-stage table-top exercises by applying UNIDIR Taxonomy of Malicious ICT Incidents. The dedicated policy briefings highlighted how recent advancements and trends in quantum computing and artificial intelligence are expected to reshape cybersecurity and broader security dynamics.
Aligning national capabilities with UN frameworks
By featuring extensive discussions on the role of UN voluntary cyber norms and developing a national position on the interpretation of international law, the workshop helped advance Malaysia’s long-term cyber resilience.
In addition to the UNIDIR’s Foundational Cyber Capabilities Framework, the programme introduced strategic approaches that decision-makers may consider for responding to malicious ICT incidents and de-escalating tensions with potentially significant impacts on regional security and stability. These included:
- diplomatic engagement,
- acts of retorsion,
- countermeasures, and
- the activation of confidence-building measures.
An interactive session led by the International Telecommunication Union complemented these discussions, sharing good practices and practical tools for integrating the UN framework in the development of the national cybersecurity strategies.
Towards stronger regional cyber resilience
This workshop forms part of a growing regional series of bilateral trainings – also held in Pakistan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Lao PDR, and Thailand – aimed at reinforcing national and regional cybersecurity capacities. UNIDIR remains committed to supporting governments with tailored tools and training, enabling them to respond effectively to rapidly evolving threats in the ICT environment.
To learn more about UNIDIR’s research-driven training and capacity-building programmes, visit the UNIDIR Academy.
This project is funded by Global Affairs Canada under its Indo-Pacific Strategy.