KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has the potential to be a key cybersecurity player in the South-East Asian region.

During the recent TN50 Roundtable Discussion on Cybersecurity here, keynote speaker Kaja Cligic, Government Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy director of Microsoft, also said more focus should be given to areas such as cloud computing, big data and innovation.

Participants also highlighted the urgent need for universities to produce graduates who are industry-ready, in light of mismatches between graduate skills and industry requirements.

Organised by the Centre for Research, Advisory and Tech­nology (Create), together with Microsoft Malaysia and TN50, the discussion saw 43 industry experts from the public and corporate sectors, academicians and civil society organisations.

Issues such as 21st-century economic and national security threats and both state and non-state elements exploiting major networks – government and private sector alike – were discussed.

“Governments around the world are developing cyber­security strategies,” Microsoft Malay­­sia’s legal and government affairs director Jasmine Begum said.

“There is an opportunity for industry thought leaders to coordinate effective cyber-risk management practices and harmonise approaches across industries and geographies.”

This policy roundtable, the first of its kind for TN50, was initiated by Create CEO Ng Yeen Seen.