- Partnership aims to enhance teaching, training, and graduate readiness
- Initiatives will expand academic research and boost graduate employability
In support of Malaysia’s national priorities to develop future-ready digital competencies, Kaspersky has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) to strengthen the university’s new Information Security Programme with global industry expertise, hands-on training and real-world threat intelligence. The partnership aims to equip educators and graduates with in-demand skills that will contribute to Malaysia’s goal of building a strong and sustainable cybersecurity talent pipeline, the cybersecurity firm said in a statement.
Recent data underscores Malaysia’s cybersecurity talent shortage. Kaspersky figures show the country remains one of the most targeted in Southeast Asia, with ransomware detections surging 153% year-on-year and 27.9 million online threats recorded in 2024 alone. A joint study by the Department of Skills Development, the Centre for Instructor and Advanced Skill Training, and CyberSecurity Malaysia projects that at least 27,000 cybersecurity professionals will be needed by 2025, yet current numbers fall significantly short.
With Malaysia’s cybersecurity market expected to reach US$2.17 billion (RM9.7 billion) by 2030, bridging this gap is critical to sustaining digital growth.
Under the MoU, Kaspersky will collaborate with UTHM to enhance its Information Security curriculum with industry-developed courses and teaching materials, provide professional development for faculty, and offer students practical exposure to real-world cybersecurity tools and practices. These initiatives will also broaden the university’s academic and research activities while improving graduate employability in line with industry needs.
“Cybersecurity is the very foundation of trust in our digital world, and building talent is as crucial as advancing infrastructure and innovation. Through our collaboration with UTHM, we are investing in a new generation of Malaysian cyber defenders, equipping them with world-class knowledge, skills and resilience to safeguard the nation’s progress and contribute to a safer, more secure digital future for the global community,” said Evgeniya Russkikh, head of Cybersecurity Education at Kaspersky Academy.
Professor Dr Afandi Bin Ahmad, provost of the UTHM Pagoh Branch Campus, added: “At UTHM, we are committed to preparing our students to be competitive and resilient in an increasingly digital and interconnected world. This partnership with Kaspersky not only strengthens our academic capabilities but also enhances our global links, giving our students and faculty access to leading industry expertise in cybersecurity.”
UTHM is one of six Malaysian universities recognised at the Cyber Defence and Security Exhibition 2025 for advancing research collaboration and talent development in cybersecurity.
The MoU builds on Kaspersky’s long-standing commitment to advancing cybersecurity education and talent development in Malaysia. Over the years, the company has partnered with local universities including Universiti Malaya and Universiti Kuala Lumpur to strengthen curricula, deliver specialist training and provide students with practical exposure to cyber investigation practices.
Beyond academia, Kaspersky has also engaged grassroots communities, schools and NGOs to deliver workshops and awareness programmes that foster digital resilience from an early age.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
