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Malaysian military data secure, says defense chief
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Malaysian Defense Minister Hishammuddin Hussein speaking at a plenary session on "Managing Military Competition in Asia" at the 15th Shangri-La Dialogue at Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore, on June 4, 2016. (EPA via The Straits Times/-)
T
he Malaysian Defense Ministry had already beefed up its cyber defense capabilities as a massive leak of secret data from a French submarine supplier was reported.
Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said proactive measures were put in place last year to prevent any attempt to hack classified military data and information on assets.
“We are working closely with some countries so that confidential information involving our military assets and other information is secured,” he told reporters after opening the Setiawangsa Umno division meeting Sunday.
Last week, The Australian newspaper revealed some sensitive details relating to submarines built by French naval contractor DCNS.
Some 22,400 leaked pages of data, which the daily said it had seen, detailed the combat capability of Scorpene-class submarines designed for the Indian navy, variants of which are used by Malaysia and Chile.
The report detailed the submarine’s sensors and its communications and navigation systems, as well as torpedo launch system.
The Malaysian navy has two Scorpene-class submarines in its fleet – the KD Tunku Abdul Rahman and KD Tun Abdul Razak.
Hishammuddin said there were several unsuccessful attempts to hack the country’s secret military information.
“There were attempts but not many.
“We are definitely taking proactive measures,” he said.
If needed, the cyber defense system can be extended to other ministries with sensitive information, he added.
