25th March 2023 (Day 16) of the Legislative Council 2023,

Session for Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications

YB Chong highlighted the rise of cyberattacks in Brunei, with the majority of victims being individuals above the age of 60 who are often targeted by scammers. With the increasing use of AI-powered tools, cybercriminals can create convincing phishing emails and other forms of scams. YB Chong is concerned about the evolving challenge and asks about the Ministry's plan to address this challenge, especially among vulnerable groups such as the elderly. YB Chong believes that a digital competency framework would enable the government to identify citizens' digital skills and take targeted actions to improve them.

Response

Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications

The country has recorded 2,979 cyber attacks in the latest statistics published by BruCert. The government has conducted various cybersecurity awareness campaigns, including organizing seminars for retirees and vulnerable groups in collaboration with other government agencies such as AiTi, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Department of Information, and the Community Development Department. The government plans to intensify its outreach efforts to raise public awareness about cyber threats and scams, particularly among vulnerable groups.