Having identified cyber-attacks as a major challenge for Cambodia and the world, the Malaysian Business Chamber of Cambodia and the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications co-organised a cyber-security forum in the fight against cybercrime.

The forum was held in Phnom Penh on October 26.

The main objective of the forum was to discuss the challenges and upgrade documents to seek input from relevant parties.

Addressing the forum, Minister of Posts and Telecommunications Chea Vandeth said: “Over the last two years, our society has increased the use of digital technology in everyday life in all areas.”

He added that the rise had made everyone vulnerable to cyber-attacks, and a combination of technologies such as AI, Big Data, and Virtual Reality has made it difficult to identify criminals.

He said Cambodia has also become a target for cybercriminals. Many institutions had been under cyberattack in the form of Phishing, Malware, Ransomware and DDoS attacks. Cyber security is now everyone's responsibility, he added.

He said the Cambodian government has made great efforts to enhance cybersecurity, with the government establishing a national cybersecurity infrastructure and recruiting specialists to monitor cyberattacks.

In addition, the ministry is drafting a cybersecurity and data protection law.

Ministry spokesman Liv Sophanarith said that this was the first time that the chamber of commerce and the ministry had organised the forum.

“If necessary, a second may be held in the future, although we have not yet determined a date for the programme,” he added.

The forum was attended by 300 people, including representatives from government institutions, telecommunication and security technology companies, experts and national and international guests, including Malaysian ambassador Datuk Eldeen Husaini Mohd and Malaysian Chamber of Commerce president Tan Khee Meng.