Firmus Launches Centurion Managed Services to Address Rising Issues Within Malaysia’s Cybersecurity Landscape

Malaysia’s digital landscape faces a constant barrage of cyber attacks, with fraud, malicious code, and intrusions being the top threats, according to Dato’ Ts Dr Haji Amirudin Bin Abdul Wahab, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of CyberSecurity Malaysia, as he commemorated the launch of Firmus Centurion Managed Services in Kuala Lumpur.

Centurion Managed Services, developed by Firmus, a prominent player in Malaysia’s cybersecurity sector, equips businesses with continuous monitoring and proactive security management. Aimed at swiftly addressing threats and minimising disruptions, Centurion Managed Services serves as a holistic solution. Its offerings include:

• Centurion Managed Detection and Response (MDR): Operating a robust security program can be challenging, given the relentless nature of cyber attackers. Centurion MDR tackles these challenges head-on by providing the essential capabilities and resources required to secure your environment. Leveraging a multi-phased approach, Centurion MDR ensures comprehensive security, enabling organisations to prepare, detect, investigate, notify, respond, and maintain a secure cybersecurity posture over the long term.

• Centurion Vulnerability Management Service (VMS): In today’s threat landscape, vulnerabilities pose a constant risk. Centurion VMS empowers organisations to proactively identify, prioritise, and remediate vulnerabilities before they are exploited by cyber attackers. Going beyond simple scans, Centurion VMS delivers a comprehensive security assessment through a multi-phased approach. It analyses entire digital infrastructures, identifies vulnerabilities, and devises customised plans to address them. With expert prioritisation and implementation of best practices, including regular scans, patching, and configuration updates, Centurion VMS ensures ongoing security.
• Centurion Exposure Management Service (EMS): Centurion EMS enables organisations to identify, analyse, and mitigate potential digital risks and vulnerabilities across their entire digital infrastructure. Going beyond traditional threat scanning, Centurion EMS utilises cutting-edge technology and comprehensive methodologies to provide a holistic view of the exposure landscape. This includes continuous asset discovery, daily asset monitoring, external exposure management, prioritised risk mitigation, remediation tracking, and platform management.

Malaysia Is Being Targeted

In his opening remarks for the day’s launch, Dato’ Haji Amirudin underscored key findings from the MyCERT Q1 2022 Threat Report. While noting a slight overall decrease in reported incidents compared to the previous quarter, he emphasised a troubling uptick in specific areas outlined in the report.

“Fraudulent activities remain the most prevalent threat, accounting for a staggering 69.58% of all reported incidents,” highlighted Dato’ Haji Amirudin. This category encompasses scams like phishing and impersonation, which target unsuspecting users. The report emphasises a concerning lack of cybersecurity awareness among Malaysians, making them vulnerable to these attacks.

Dato’ Ts Dr Haji Amirudin Bin Abdul Wahab, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of CyberSecurity Malaysia

Dato’ Haji Amirudin also underscored a crucial point, stating, “Robust cybersecurity is no longer optional; it’s a necessity for organisations of all sizes in Malaysia.”

Individuals can take steps like installing antivirus software, but businesses face a steeper climb. They need to safeguard not only individual devices but also critical data and infrastructure. This often necessitates a level of expertise and resources that many organisations simply lack in-house.

But here’s the rub: There’s currently a widening cybersecurity skills gap worldwide, and Malaysia is no exception.

According to Malaysia’s Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil earlier this year, there is a gap of roughly 12,000 cybersecurity professionals, with the nation needing around 27,000 cybersecurity experts to effectively combat cyber attacks, However, currently, there are only 15,000 personnel available. And with the rising number of attacks happening in the country, every help is needed.

A Comprehensive Security Suite for Businesses of All Sizes

Understanding the issue of the talent gap, as well as growing complexities and costs associated with maintaining an in-house cybersecurity team, with Centurion Managed Services, Firmus looks to deliver a comprehensive suite of managed security services designed to empower businesses of all sizes to thrive in today’s dynamic and often treacherous digital landscape.

Named after the ancient guardians, perhaps a fitting metaphor for the services they provide, Firmus’s Centurion Managed Services provides customers with access to a team of security experts who proactively identify and mitigate threats to keep their operations secure and ensure resilience against ever-evolving cyber attacks.

Datuk Alan See, CEO of Firmus, elaborated on the expertise shortage, stating that the lack of qualified personnel creates a gap between acquiring cybersecurity solutions and effectively utilising them.

Datuk Alan See, Co-Founder and CEO of Firmus

He emphasised, “Even though many businesses can purchase security software, implementing and maintaining it requires a skilled team. This is where Firmus’s managed security services strive. We bridge that gap by providing our clients with not just the technology but also the expertise to manage and monitor their defences 24/7.”

Datuk Alan See also explains that Centurion’s Managed Security services are available to businesses of all sizes through a subscription model. He acknowledges that their initial target market focuses on large corporations and financial institutions (listed companies and those needing to comply with regulations from Bank Negara or the Securities Commission). These organisations typically have stricter compliance requirements and may prioritise robust cybersecurity measures. However, Datuk Alan See emphasises that even smaller and medium-sized businesses can benefit from Centurion’s services, as a strong security posture is essential in today’s digital landscape.

In many ways, Centurion Managed Services offers a glimpse into the future of cybersecurity. As technology continues to advance and threats become more sophisticated, continuous monitoring and proactive defence strategies will become increasingly crucial for businesses of all sizes. Centurion’s approach positions it well to address these evolving challenges, but its long-term success will depend on its ability to adapt and innovate alongside the threat landscape.