Singapore – Indonesia’s Ministry of Communications and Informatics has recently announced that it has partnered with the Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence, an initiative co-managed by Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison and Mastercard Indonesia.
The strategic alliance is built on a shared commitment towards advancing the country’s digital ecosystem by establishing an online academy. The said academy will offer cybersecurity training to one million Indonesians, which will be spearheaded by the ministry’s Digital Talent Scholarship (DTS) platform.
As a foundation of the initiative, the academy will focus on providing fundamental cybersecurity education and practical skills, empowering individuals and small businesses in safeguarding themselves online. By fostering both cybersecurity strength and emerging talent, the said program will also bolster the country’s cybersecurity capabilities and expand their pool of experts.
The collaboration will further tap the efforts of Indosat in talent development, as well as Mastercards expertise in cybersecurity solutions and extensive experience in cybersecurity training across the Asia Pacific and ultimately worldwide.
In turn, participants of the program will acquire the necessary skills for the digital economy, such as secure management of devices, apps, and accounts, mastering software updates and security, and protecting against phishing and malware. These suites of skills also extend to securing business data with backup, positioning Indonesia’s digital economy in both the Southeast Asia and global stage.
Participants will acquire essential skills for the digital economy, such as securely managing devices, apps, and accounts, staying up to date with software and security measures, safeguarding against phishing and malware, and ensuring business data protection through backups. This initiative aims to strengthen Indonesia’s digital economy, positioning it for growth in Southeast Asia and on the global stage.
Budi Arie Setiadi, Minister of Communications and Informatics at the Republic of Indonesia, said, “This partnership marks a significant milestone in Indonesia’s digital development. We are committed to building a secure and resilient digital ecosystem, and cybersecurity is a crucial part of this mission.
“By joining forces with Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison and Mastercard, we are laying a strong foundation to prepare Indonesia’s digital talent for the challenges ahead,” Setiadi added.
Vikram Sinha, president, director, and CEO at Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison, also remarked, “At Indosat, we believe that digital talent is the backbone of Indonesia’s future. Being trusted by the Ministry of Communications and Informatics to support this groundbreaking initiative is a responsibility we proudly embrace.”
Sinha also shared, “Together with Mastercard, we are committed to accelerating Indonesia’s journey toward becoming a digitally advanced and secure nation, ready to compete on a global scale. With this landmark initiative, we believe Indosat is closer to fulfilling its larger purpose of empowering Indonesia.”
Meanwhile, Aileen Goh, country manager and president director for Indonesia at Mastercard, further explained, “As the digital economy continues to grow, so does the frequency and extent of cyberattacks. Cyber Crimes are projected to cost the world about USD $13.8 trillion by 2028. Besides the increase in vulnerabilities, a recent global survey revealed that 72% of cyberattacks in Asia stem from the shortage of skilled specialists in the field. Capacity building and nurturing a pipeline of cybersecurity talent is therefore key to ensuring cyber resilience and a safe and secure digital economy.”
“Mastercard is pleased to contribute to this important initiative alongside Indosat and the Ministry of Communications and Informatics. This collaboration will equip Indonesia’s talents with the essential skills, knowledge, and expertise necessary to prepare for future threats and bolster trust in the digital economy, thereby safeguarding Indonesia’s digital future,” Goh concluded.
