CyberDSA 2026 Opens in Kuala Lumpur, AI Security and Data Sovereignty in Focus

KUALA LUMPUR: CyberDSA 2026 officially opened today at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC), placing artificial intelligence (AI) security, digital trust, data sovereignty and the protection of critical systems at the centre of discussions.

The fourth edition of the Cyber Digital Services, Defence and Security Asia Exhibition and Conference (CyberDSA) 2026) is being held from October 5 to 7, bringing together technology companies, government agencies, defence communities and cybersecurity experts.

Organised by Aerosea Exhibitions Sdn Bhd, the event is expected to attract 160 companies from 20 countries and around 9,000 trade visitors from 45 countries.

This year’s theme, “Advancing Secure AI, Strengthening Digital Trust and Safeguarding Data Sovereignty,” reflects growing concerns over the safe deployment of AI, confidence in digital services and control over data.

The event comes as more daily activities, including financial transactions, identity verification and access to public and private services, are increasingly conducted through digital platforms.

Among the companies participating are Cisco, through its Splunk technology, Exabeam, Sophos, Aras Integrasi, Gamuda DNeX Cloud, Maxis, MEASAT and Mindmatics.

The exhibition covers areas including database protection, network monitoring, threat detection, device security, cloud infrastructure and AI solutions.

The introduction of Digital Intelligence Asia (DIA) 2026, held alongside CyberDSA, further expands the programme to include AI, automation and digitalisation.

AI Security Takes Centre Stage

AI security is expected to be one of the key topics throughout the event, particularly the need to protect systems from AI models and AI agents operating beyond their intended purposes.

Discussions will focus on measures such as restricting access, monitoring AI activities, reviewing AI-generated results and requiring human approval for sensitive actions.

Emergency measures to stop or isolate AI systems that behave unsafely will also be examined, alongside discussions on human oversight and the monitoring of AI-agent behaviour.

Data Sovereignty and Local Technology

Data sovereignty is another major focus, with local companies showcasing technologies aimed at strengthening organisations’ control over data access, usage and management.

Aras Integrasi is scheduled to present its cybersecurity solutions and discuss sovereign technology development and locally owned intellectual property.

Gamuda DNeX Cloud is also participating with a focus on cloud and AI infrastructure for government and critical industries.

On October 6, Mindmatics is scheduled to hold a product handover ceremony involving Tiong, Barracuda and Red products for the Royal Malaysian Navy and the National Defence University of Malaysia (UPNM) under the Industrial Collaboration Programme (ICP).

Cyber Defence and National Security

For the defence community, Siber Siaga is among the key programmes, with its opening scheduled to be officiated by Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.

Subsequent discussions will examine human judgement, machine speed and decision-making in warfare, particularly the role of AI in situations where information must be assessed and decisions made rapidly.

The programme also includes an ASEAN Cyber Defence Network meeting and closed-door sessions involving military, intelligence, law enforcement and security communities.

Topics include the misuse of AI by adversaries, cyber threat intelligence and the protection of military data.

The Strategic Electronic Defence Innovation Challenge (SEDIC) 2026, organised by UPNM, is scheduled for the final day, providing a platform for developing new ideas and technical talent in electronic defence.

Protecting Critical Infrastructure

The final day of CyberDSA 2026 will also focus on the cybersecurity resilience of critical national infrastructure, including financial systems, energy, water and smart cities.

Financial-sector discussions are expected to cover crisis preparedness, incident response and risks associated with third-party service providers, with representatives from CyberSecurity Malaysia, Kumpulan Wang Persaraan (Diperbadankan) and Bursa Malaysia among the listed panel members.

Discussions on energy, water and smart cities will examine the ability of essential services to withstand disruptions, including risks linked to climate, supply and physical infrastructure.

Ultimately, the importance of cybersecurity is reflected in everyday life, where digital transactions must remain operational, personal information must be protected and essential services must be capable of being restored when disruptions occur.

Vom24.com