Answer for Oral Question PL189

QUESTION

Yang Berhormat Dayang Hajah Rosmawatty binti Haji Abdul Mumin

YANG BERHORMAT DAYANG HAJAH ROSMAWATTY BINTI HAJI ABDUL MUMIN asked the MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND INFOCOMMUNICATIONS to state the extent of the Ministry’s capabilities in data collection and analysis, risk-based monitoring, digital data sharing, early warning systems and cooperation with digital platform providers in addressing the increasingly widespread digital threats, so as to enable preventive and enforcement action to be carried out more proactively before affecting the country’s social security?

ANSWER

Yang Berhormat Menteri Pengangkutan dan Infokomunikasi

Overall, the Ministry’s approach is based on four main approaches:

First, in terms of threat detection and monitoring, Cyber Security Brunei (CSB) and Brunei Computer Emergency Response Team (BruCERT) have comprehensive capabilities through the Cyber Watch Centre (CWC), which is a core CSB service operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week using advanced security intelligent monitoring technology.

This capability enables threats to be monitored continuously and on a risk basis, in order to identify and assess potential threats at an early stage before they develop into larger incidents.

Second, in terms of digital data sharing and early warning systems, CSB, through BruCERT, acts as the national information-sharing centre. BruCERT issues advisories containing technical details and recommendations for remediation, as well as alerts in real-time, so that stakeholders can take preventive measures immediately. BruCERT is also involved in threat intelligence sharing at the national, regional and international levels. We are aware that cyber threats recognise no borders, and information obtained from one incident can help other countries prepare earlier.

Third, in terms of prevention and building community resilience, the Secure Verify Connect (SVC) initiative is used as a digital platform to disseminate threat warnings and protection guidelines, particularly to schools, communities and vulnerable groups, including senior citizens and Persons with Disabilities (OKU), through multisectoral cooperation.

To assess its effectiveness, CSB conducts the BruCERT Online Safety Awareness Survey annually. The findings from 2024 to 2025 showed increased awareness and positive changes in public behaviour, including the use of antivirus software, safer Wi-Fi, stronger passwords and separation between work and personal devices. Nevertheless, it is acknowledged that there remains room to strengthen the measurement of behavioural outcomes (behavioral outcome).

At the same time, AITI has operated the Waspada.bn portal as a channel for verifying the authenticity of information or fact-checking, in addition to issuing warnings about the latest scam tactics, fake accounts or offers, and providing a channel for reporting suspicious content.

Fourth, in terms of legislation, regulation and enforcement, the Ministry views this aspect as complementing its technical capabilities. We all know that technology alone is insufficient without a clear legal framework, effective regulation and appropriate enforcement action.

In this regard, the Content Advisory Council (CAC) coordinates inter-agency cooperation at the national level in addressing regulatory, enforcement and digital content management issues, including the monitoring of content on the internet and social media.

At the same time, the Ministry will continue to ensure that regulatory and enforcement actions are implemented based on the provisions of the laws in force, while taking into account public protection, safety and social order, as well as the development of a responsible digital space.

In strengthening the reporting and response mechanisms for scams, the Scamwatch portal will be developed as the main reporting platform to enable information to be channelled more quickly to the relevant parties. This will subsequently support a faster response to block the transfer of victims’ funds and increase the chances of recovering money that has been lost.

In addition, in terms of cooperation with global digital platform providers, AITI, CSB and the Royal Brunei Police Force (PPDB) have also established strategic cooperation with providers such as Meta for threat information sharing, response coordination and requests for the removal of content that violates platform standards, including fake news, scams, as well as content containing hate, violence and incitement.

This cooperation is important because some digital threats occur within the global platform ecosystem. With effective cooperation channels in place, information about threats can be conveyed more quickly and appropriate action can be taken.

In conclusion, the Ministry’s approach is not merely to act after a threat has occurred, but to build a comprehensive framework encompassing early detection, information sharing, public education and resilience, legislation and enforcement, as well as cooperation with digital platform providers.

The Ministry hopes that through this integrated approach, digital threats can be identified earlier, action can be taken more quickly and, most importantly, the safety and well-being of the community will continue to be protected in an increasingly complex digital environment.