[Jakarta, 14 August 2023] The ASEAN Foundation and Microsoft are proud to announce the successful completion and impact of ASEAN Cybersecurity Skilling Programme (ASEAN CSP).

First launched in January 2022, ASEAN CSP was delivered by ASEAN Foundation with support from Microsoft to raise awareness on the danger of cyber threats and bring attention to the importance of equipping the people of ASEAN, especially those from marginalised community, with adequate knowledge about cybersecurity to fight against the ever-growing cybercrimes.

This initiative was built upon Microsoft’s expertise and commitment in promoting a safer digital space and the ASEAN Foundation’s long track record of catalysing educational growth in the region. Over the span of 15 months, ASEAN CSP has managed to deliver cybersecurity training covering cybersecurity awareness fundamentals to over 24,000 beneficiaries in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, Singapore, and Cambodia in collaboration with 634 master trainers and 10 local implementing partners.

Another achievement of the programme was the establishment of an online learning platform called www.futurereadyasean.org, which will continue to offer free, unlimited access to cybersecurity lessons for years to come.

"We are thrilled to see the positive impact of ASEAN CSP across the region. This regional programme showcased the importance of cybersecurity and has successfully equipped the people of ASEAN with the necessary skill sets to safely navigate the online space. At the same time, the programme has also successfully contributed to ASEAN ICT Masterplan 2020 in creating an innovative, inclusive, and integrated ASEAN Community and ASEAN Work Plan on Education 2021 – 2025,” said Dr. Piti Srisangnam, Executive Director of ASEAN Foundation.

“With an increased cyber-attack and a shortage of cybersecurity professionals have imposed a serious threat in the region. The programme has showcased the dedication of various partners, including local educational institutions, nonprofits, and governments, to empower ASEAN youth, women focus, by equipping them with cybersecurity literacy and to enhance employment opportunities to bridge the talent gap. We extend our gratitude to the ASEAN Foundation and all our local implementing partners or their collaboration in implementing this programme,” said Supahrat Juramongkol, Microsoft Philanthropies Lead for ASEAN.

The local partners who delivered the cybersecurity training also expressed their appreciation for being able to take part in the fight against cybercrimes. “Through the programme, we see improvement in the youth’s understanding of controlling their data privacy and levelling up their knowledge of stalkerware and spyware. They feel more confident navigating their behaviour online and understand better what could trigger cybersecurity issues within the organisation,” said Agita Pasaribu, CEO of Bullyid Indonesia.

The programme also takes into account inclusivity by making sure that there is a gender balance in identifying and selecting master trainers and end beneficiaries. “I think it is important for girls to empower themselves by learning new skills so that they know they can be anything they want to be. Girls are no exception to cyberattacks. We are also users of the internet so we need to learn these things so we can take an active role in this era of new technology,” said Hei Yi Jing, a master trainer from Girl Guides Association Malaysia.

The ASEAN CSP was a regional programme that aims to building greater cybersecurity knowledge among people in ASEAN. The programme involved development of curriculum and delivery of training of trainers on cybersecurity to a select group of educators and facilitators in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Viet Nam, Singapore, and Cambodia, transforming them into master trainers who will then deliver cybersecurity training to the end-beneficiaries in those seven countries.

About the ASEAN Foundation

Three decades after ASEAN was established, ASEAN leaders recognised that: there remained inadequate shared prosperity, ASEAN awareness and contact among the people of ASEAN. It was of this concern that ASEAN leaders established ASEAN Foundation in Jakarta, Indonesia, at ASEAN’s 30th Anniversary Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on 15 December 1997. The ASEAN Foundation is an organisation from and for the people of ASEAN. The Foundation exists because of one vision: to build a cohesive and prosperous ASEAN Community. As an ASEAN body, the Foundation is tasked to support ASEAN mainly in promoting awareness, identity, interaction and development of the people of ASEAN.

About Microsoft

Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT” @microsoft) is the leading platform and productivity company for the mobile-first, cloud-first world, and its mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.

NOTES TO EDITOR

For more information, press only:

Anthoni Octaviano, ASEAN Foundation, [email protected]