Malaysia Paves the Way for Women Leaders in ASEAN Cybersecurity

27 February 2026

CYBERJAYA: Malaysia has taken a significant step forward in establishing the MCMC and BlackBerry Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence (CCoE) as a regional hub for top-tier cyber training, with the successful completion of its inaugural Women in Cyber Leadership Programme. The five-day event brought together women professionals from across ASEAN, in collaboration with Global Affairs Canada and Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst at Toronto Metropolitan University (“the Catalyst”).

Held from 26 to 30 January, the programme offered fully funded places to over 25 talented women selected through a competitive process from ASEAN countries including the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore. Participants from diverse industries enhanced their skills in cyber risk management, governance, and leadership, alongside practical and soft skills to overcome traditional workplace barriers.

Jaclyn Sim, Senior Manager of Training at the MCMC and BlackBerry CCoE, commented: “BlackBerry is proud to support initiatives that empower women in cybersecurity to overcome mid-career challenges by building confidence and opening pathways to leadership. This collaborative public-private-academic initiative exemplifies our commitment to developing a highly skilled, diverse cyber workforce and positioning Malaysia as a regional centre of excellence for cybersecurity capacity-building in ASEAN.”

First announced at the 47th ASEAN Summit in October 2025, the Women in Cyber Leadership Programme is part of a strategic co-funding initiative under Canada’s Indo-Pacific strategy, aimed at boosting regional cybersecurity capabilities.

Industry experts and programme partners shared insights on the vital importance of advancing women’s leadership and enhancing cyber resilience in ASEAN. Trish Dyl, Director of Skills Development and International Programmes at the Catalyst, emphasised: “Diversity in the cybersecurity ecosystem is essential to tackling complex issues in the digital age. As women remain underrepresented in leadership roles, cross-border and cross-industry collaboration like this is crucial to driving progress and strengthening cyber resilience in Malaysia and ASEAN.”

Raymond Siva, Digital Strategy and Future Tech Investment Consultant, added: “With cyber threats evolving amid geopolitical tensions, it’s vital that ASEAN organisations embed cybersecurity into their strategic and operational decisions, rather than viewing it as merely a compliance issue. Building digital literacy, diversifying supply chains, and fostering regional cooperation are key to ensuring ASEAN’s digital economy remains innovative, secure, and resilient.”

Participants shared their experiences after the event.

Nurul Aisyah Sim Abdullah Director of the Audit and Compliance Division at Malaysia’s National Cyber Security Agency (NACSA): “Given the increasing complexity of cyber threats, I joined this programme to strengthen my leadership in addressing evolving challenges. It provided invaluable insights into regional cybersecurity, best practices, peer exchange, and practical strategies to foster a resilient cyber ecosystem across ASEAN.”

Juliana Jamil, Principal Assistant Director at the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency: “Engaging with ASEAN peers underscored the importance of collaboration and policy alignment in enhancing cyber readiness. I am now more confident and motivated to promote a proactive security culture within my scope, helping to strengthen digital trust in government services.”

Esther Soh Peck Woon, Senior Assistant Director at the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore: “Participating in this course helped me connect cyber risks directly to business impact, enabling more effective discussions with stakeholders and teams. It’s vital that we share knowledge across the region to better manage cyber threats and protect trust in our digital services.”