BlackBerry 2025 Secure Communications Predictions

By Gustav Brunner, Director of Malaysia, BlackBerry Cybersecurity

Malaysia is poised to strengthen its position as a leading tech hub in Asia. Over recent years, the country has laid a solid foundation and promises to be pivotal in driving further growth and attracting talent and investment. We expect to see major progress in three key areas during 2025, security and safety, skills, and scaling for growth.

1. Security and safety of data, communications and citizens

a. In 2025, as digital transformation accelerates, Malaysia will face increasing cyber and espionage threats that aim to disrupt critical services, compromise sensitive data and secure communications, and erode trust in the digital economy – including online scams that bleed the economy.  It could also be faced with business disrupting events such as floods, IT outages – and even disease outbreaks.

b. To safeguard its digital future and keep citizens and critical infrastructure safe, Malaysia must prioritise advanced cybersecurity solutions and trusted, critical communications.

• • This means more local hosting of sovereign communications to prevent metadata being accessed by foreign authorities via consumer grade apps, like WhatsApp.
  • Consider using use of out-of-band networks for critical agencies and industries, which can be relied upon when the usual networks go down in the event of a flood, fire or major IT outage.
  • Continue to ramp up measures to combat online fraud and scams, that cost Malaysians billions in losses each year, including tightening laws against scammers to protect victims.
  • It is also critical ensure adequate security measures around the development and use of technologies like 5G, Gen AI and quantum computing. A survey conducted in 2024by BlackBerry revealed that over 79% of software supply chains in Malaysia have been targeted by cyberattacks. Emerging technologies offer immense potential, but also introduce new vulnerabilities that require proactive cyber defence strategies along the digital supply chain.

c. Malaysia is expected to intensify its focus on secure communications infrastructure, network and data sovereignty. Government departments and key industries will increasingly tighten regulation and mandate in-region data hosting to align with national security priorities and protect sensitive information.

• • Public cloud services with weak security or foreign jurisdictional exposure (e.g., under the US Cloud Act) are likely to face restrictions.
  • Malaysia will shift towards private, locally hosted solutions and regional data centres that align with the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) and global standards. This approach enhances control over metadata, protects against unauthorised access, and strengthens cybersecurity resilience.

2. Skills focus 

a. Malaysia is admirably prioritising skills development, nominating 2025 as the ‘Year of Skills’ in reflection of the government’s commitment to invest in human capital.  By focusing on digital literacy, innovation, and advanced technical skills – especially in cybersecurity, the country aims to grow a future-ready workforce capable of meeting the demands of the evolving tech landscape.

• • An area of opportunity for Malaysia, is to focus on programs that foster wider diversity and inclusion in the cybersecurity workforce, including providing more support for women in the sector.  There are just not enough well-trained people to do the work, and there is a vast range of open roles that demand different skills and attributes.

b. The Malaysian Government announced its commitment to skills during its recent budget, allocating RM1 billion to strategic funds. We expect that private businesses will also answer the call and ramp up investments in people and skills, especially around AI:

• • Expanding AI education: RM50 million will be invested in AI-related programs at research universities.
  • Boosting semiconductor talent: RM20 million will be allocated to UiTM to produce more E&E engineers.
  • These strategic investments demonstrate Malaysia’s unwavering dedication to fostering a thriving tech ecosystem and securing its place as a global innovation hub.

c. International collaboration – Malaysia recognises the skills shortage cannot be tackled alone and will increasingly partner with other nations and tech leaders to grow its talent pool in an effort to reach its target of 30,000 trained cyber-professionals by 2030.

• • The recent announcement by the Government of Canada to invest $4M (CAD) in skills and training programs at the Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence, in collaboration with BlackBerry and the Toronto University, is one example of how these partnerships can support Malaysia achieve its goals.  This will include scholarships and courses dedicated for women in cybersecurity.

3. Scaling for Growth

a. As it takes the role of Chair of ASEAN in 20205, Malaysia will continue to grow as a regional tech powerhouse, attracting top talent and substantial investment from across the Asia-Pacific region. Key sectors, including AI, fintech, and green technology, will drive this growth.  Malaysia’s continued commitment to cybersecurity and safety will help to build trust in the digital economy locally and internationally.

b. To support this transformation, public-private partnerships will accelerate the development of a robust digital infrastructure, enabling the realisation of smart cities and IoT innovations. Strategic investments in 5G rollout, the semiconductor industry, and AI will further solidify Malaysia’s position as a leading tech hub.