Malaysia advances AI and cybersecurity goals at CyberDSA 2026

The fourth edition of Cyber Digital Services, Defence & Security Asia (CyberDSA) 2026 has opened at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) in Kuala Lumpur. The event focuses on the intersection of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity as Malaysia pursues its goal of becoming an AI Nation by 2030.

Deputy Minister of Digital Malaysia, YB Datuk Wilson Ugak Anak Kumbong, emphasized that national AI ambitions must be supported by security, trust, and infrastructure. He noted that digital economy participation relies heavily on the trust established through secure data and networks.

Parallel to these security discussions, Malaysia is experiencing a significant data-centre boom. Between 2021 and March 2025, 25 approved projects under the Digital Ecosystem Acceleration Scheme represented RM144.4 billion in investment. As of April 2026, operational data centres in the country were consuming approximately 1,102 megawatts of electricity and 28.68 million litres of water daily. The government has introduced sustainability guidelines to manage the environmental footprint of this digital infrastructure, focusing on power, carbon, and water efficiency.