Isaca, MDEC partner to enhance business technology professions

By Digital News Asia September 22, 2017

To focus on improving leadership competencies and workforce skills
The organisations have agreed to knowledge and best practice sharing

Isaca, MDEC partner to enhance business technology professions

ISACA and Malaysia Digital Economic Corporation (MDEC) on Sept 21 announced a collaboration and partnership focused on improving leadership competencies and workforce skills in technology governance, information and cyber security.

The organisations are finalising details, with partnership terms to leverage on Isaca’s training and professional development, certification, content, and conference capabilities to help fuel MDEC’s digital transformation drive.

In addition, the organisations have agreed to knowledge and best practice sharing, and to cooperatively develop awareness in the areas of technology governance, risk, information and cyber security in products and services aimed for business technology professionals and enterprise organisations in the region.

“Isaca actively works to advance knowledge, training and credentials in information technology, governance, security, risk, audit and assurance. Our partnership with MDEC conveys our shared commitment to build a business technology professional community well-equipped to drive digital economy growth and success in Malaysia, and internationally,” said Theresa Grafenstine, Isaca Board chair, and inspector general of the US House of Representatives, USA.

“This collaboration with Isaca is another opportunity for MDEC to further extend our relationship within the private sector as we work towards accelerating the digital economy for Malaysia. This, of course, includes improving best security practices and governance compliances for businesses.

“Part of this MoU will ramp up the development of skilled talents in the cyber-security sector, generate more awareness for data protection, and scale up partner programs like the recently launched Premier Digital Tech IHLs programme,” said MDEC Enabling Ecosystem director Ir Wan Murdani Wan Mohamad.

Malaysia is currently on track to reach its target of 20% contribution from the digital economy to gross domestic product (GDP) by the year 2020.

With almost 75% of cyber security managers and practitioners globally expecting to fall prey to a cyberattack, cyber security remains a top priority for business, government and academic leaders in Malaysia.

“Cyber-attack sophistication is rapidly evolving, as are concerns about information security and enterprise vulnerability. Isaca is at the forefront of professional development, upskilling and certification for the information and cyber security workforce of today, and across the technology spectrum in our future,” said Leonard Ong, Isaca Board director and associate director at Merck & Co, Inc., Singapore.

“We value this partnership, connecting Malaysia to ISACA’s global community, as an important step to advance cyber security regulation and adoption in Malaysia and the region.”

ISACA Malaysia Chapter president Kenneth Ho added, “Although technical and administrative controls are essential in mitigating cyberattacks, we find that the human factor is often the greatest defence. It is imperative for organisations in Malaysia, especially in small and medium enterprises, to look at cyber security as a business concern and ensure that the workforce and talent base is adequately equipped now, and growing, with the right skills.”