BlackBerry Limited has officially established its Asia Pacific (APAC) Cybersecurity Regional Headquarters in Cyberjaya, Malaysia, marking a significant step in the nation’s ambition to become a key player in the cybersecurity landscape. This strategic decision aligns with BlackBerry’s long-term vision of capitalizing on Malaysia’s proximity to emerging technology hubs and robust government infrastructure. By situating its headquarters in Cyberjaya, BlackBerry aims to strengthen its operations in the region and enhance collaboration with local tech communities.
The partnership between BlackBerry and the Malaysian government has been further solidified through a cybersecurity agreement established in November 2023. This collaboration has led to the creation of the Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (CCoE), a premier training facility dedicated to upskilling Malaysia’s cybersecurity workforce. The CCoE will play a crucial role in equipping professionals with the necessary skills to tackle the growing challenges posed by cyber threats, ensuring that Malaysia’s cybersecurity capabilities keep pace with global standards.
Tash Stamatelos, BlackBerry’s Vice President for Cybersecurity in APAC, emphasized the importance of Malaysia as a strategic market, particularly as the country prepares to chair ASEAN in 2024. He commended Malaysia’s proactive measures in fostering digital transformation and regional collaboration in cybersecurity. The country’s ongoing investments in skills development, innovation, and infrastructure make it an attractive destination for global companies, reinforcing BlackBerry’s commitment to empowering cyber defenders in Malaysia and across the region.
The establishment of the BlackBerry APAC HQ is complemented by recent initiatives to enhance cybersecurity education in Malaysia. On October 23, 2024, BlackBerry announced a partnership with the International Information System Security Certification Consortium (ISC2) to deliver globally recognized cybersecurity training and certifications at the CCoE. As Malaysia gears up for the ‘Year of Skills’ in 2025, this collaboration aims to expand the cybersecurity workforce, providing professionals with critical certifications such as Certified Information Systems Security Professionals (CISSP) and Certified Cloud Security Professionals (CCSP). With over 1,500 professionals trained since the CCoE’s inception in March 2024, these initiatives are set to significantly bolster Malaysia’s cybersecurity capabilities in the years to come.
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