Malaysia's Cybersecurity Ambitions Take Flight: A Year of Progress and Partnerships

The Malaysia Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (CCoE) celebrated its first anniversary in 2025 by unveiling a series of strategic partnerships, scholarships, and expanded programs that underscore its role as a regional leader in addressing evolving cyber threats. With a focus on workforce development, diversity, and international collaboration, the CCoE has positioned itself as a cornerstone of Malaysia’s digital resilience.

Ask Aime: How will the Malaysia Cybersecurity Center of Excellence's strategic partnerships, scholarships, and expanded programs impact the future of cybersecurity workforce development and Malaysia's digital resilience?

A Year of Strategic Partnerships
The CCoE’s 2025 initiatives were marked by high-profile collaborations aimed at bridging cybersecurity skill gaps and fostering innovation. A standout partnership with blackberry and the Malaysian government introduced the EC Council Learning platform, a hybrid training tool for government employees combining online modules with in-person sessions. This program targets over 1,000 participants, addressing critical needs in public-sector cybersecurity.

BlackBerry also partnered with the ISC² Malaysia Chapter to offer 50 scholarships for women pursuing cybersecurity training, reflecting a deliberate push for gender diversity in the field. Over 40% of CCoE’s attendees in its first year were women—a figure the center aims to expand further through targeted programs.

Another key initiative, the CyberNext Program launched with TalentCorp, will train 1,000 students and 250 lecturers** in foundational cybersecurity skills, supported by free certifications like CompTIA ITF+. The program’s 12-month structure, split into two phases, ensures participants gain both theoretical knowledge and practical experience.

Global Investments and Regional Ambitions
The CCoE’s international collaborations signal its ambition to become a global cybersecurity hub. The Government of Canada pledged CAD 3.9 million through its Indo-Pacific Strategy, funding training programs at the CCoE in partnership with BlackBerry and the Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst. This investment aligns with Canada’s focus on strengthening cybersecurity ties in the Indo-Pacific region, while also boosting Malaysia’s capacity to tackle cross-border threats.

The CCoE also deepened its ASEAN connections, positioning itself as a regional hub for cross-border threat intelligence-sharing and workforce development. Such partnerships are critical as ASEAN nations increasingly face sophisticated cyberattacks targeting critical infrastructure and financial systems.

Scholarships and Inclusion: Building a Diverse Workforce
Beyond technical training, the CCoE prioritizes inclusion and accessibility. Collaborations with 42KL, a tuition-free coding academy, provided 25 CompTIA ITF+ certifications to underserved communities, while scholarships for military-connected students (via the Gilman-McCain program) expanded access to education. These efforts not only address socioeconomic barriers but also ensure Malaysia’s cybersecurity workforce reflects its diverse population.

The Marshalltown Education Partnership (MEP) model, adapted to Malaysia’s context, highlights the importance of mentorship and career guidance. The CCoE’s expanded mentorship programs, starting in high school, mirror MEP’s success in retaining first-generation students—a strategy critical to sustaining talent pipelines.

Conclusion: A Cybersecurity Powerhouse in the Making
The CCoE’s first anniversary achievements are a testament to Malaysia’s strategic prioritization of cybersecurity. With $3.9 million in international funding, partnerships spanning public and private sectors, and a focus on inclusivity, the center is well-positioned to meet its goal of training 1,000+ professionals annually by 2026.

The data underscores this momentum:
- Over 40% female participation in programs breaks gender barriers in tech.
- 50 scholarships for women and 25 certifications for underprivileged groups directly address diversity gaps.
- The CAD 3.9 million Canadian investment reflects geopolitical confidence in Malaysia’s cybersecurity trajectory.

As cyber threats grow in complexity, Malaysia’s investments in education, international alliances, and inclusive policies are not just defensive measures—they’re catalysts for economic growth. A skilled cybersecurity workforce will attract global tech firms, secure critical infrastructure, and position Malaysia as an ASEAN leader in the $173 billion global cybersecurity market.

For investors, the CCoE’s progress signals opportunities in cybersecurity training platforms, certification providers, and firms like BlackBerry, which are already benefiting from these partnerships. The next year will test whether this momentum translates into sustained talent development—and Malaysia’s vision of a digitally secure future.