KUALA LUMPUR, 8 July 2025 – Malaysia’s Ministry of Defence has affirmed that digital defence is now a key pillar of national security and military strategy, given the increasing frequency and sophistication of cyber threats globally.

In a statement today, the Ministry highlighted that cyber warfare has become an integral part of the modern battlefield, where traditional military operations are now complemented by digital operations targeting command centres, communication lines, and defence networks.

“Cyberspace is no longer just a support domain, but an operational domain in its own right. Digital defence is now essential to ensure national sovereignty and operational readiness,” the Ministry said.

This statement reinforces the government’s ongoing efforts to equip the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) with capabilities that match the evolving threat landscape. The Ministry is committed to strengthening digital infrastructure, training skilled cybersecurity personnel, and developing advanced response strategies to counter increasingly complex cyber attacks.

Among the key focuses are:

• Enhancing cyber situational awareness across all armed forces units
• Strengthening real-time monitoring and digital forensics capabilities
• Protecting critical military communication networks and databases
• Integrating cyber strategy into operational planning and war games

The Ministry also stressed that cyber defence is not just the responsibility of the military but requires a whole-of-nation approach, involving government agencies, academia, and private industry. Public awareness and education on cyber hygiene are crucial in building a resilient national digital defence ecosystem.

In line with this, Malaysia continues to strengthen cooperation with international partners through joint cyber exercises, intelligence sharing, and strategic dialogues on cybersecurity.

As threats in cyberspace become more complex and transnational, Malaysia’s emphasis on digital defence signals a clear commitment to protecting its national interests in both physical and virtual domains.