NCSA leads brainstorming sessions with Thailand’s leading enterprises and agencies to counter increased cyber risks. NBTC aims to issue standardized guidelines for operators while Huawei accelerates its 5G development, enabling 2-factor authentication to prevent personal data breaches
The National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA) organized a panel discussion titled “Financial Sector Cybersecurity in Telecommunication Networks and its Importance towards the Public and Private Sectors” at Thailand National Cyber Week 2023. The panel was led by AVM Amorn Chomchoey, Secretary General of NCSA, Kanokorn Chawang, Director of the Telecommunications Regulatory Division at the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), Surachai Chatchalermpun, Country Cyber Security & Privacy Officer at Huawei Technologies (Thailand), and Kittipong Thiraruengchaisri, Cyber Security Expert/Information Security Data Management at True Corporation.
During the event, Mr. AVM Amorn Chomchoey said: “NCSA is committed to providing effective cybersecurity management guidelines, which will enable organizations and agencies to respond to all types of cyber threats, in response to an increasing number of severe cybercrime attacks in the country. NCSA is also working on upgrading the security systems protecting Thailand’s ICT infrastructure while simultaneously supporting Thai organizations with efficient measures to protect themselves, minimize risks, and manage potential cyber threats. In this regard, we aim to boost cyber immunity for Thai people by creating a seamless telecommunications process – from device providers to authorities and end-users – resulting in a complete, robust, and secure system.”
Ms. Kanokorn Chawang of NBTC explained: “Our organization has also issued guidelines to elevate Thailand’s cybersecurity, in line with Thailand’s 2019 Cybersecurity Act, and we are now working with leading organizations and agencies to prevent potential cybercrimes. There was an incident where a bank requested support from NBTC after it faced a cyberattack, although this was beyond NBTC’s responsibilities under the law, which highlighted just how much cybercrime is increasing. We are working hard to reduce risks while also issuing standardized safety guidelines, including for devices in communication networks that should meet international standards. Challenges remain however, as each network operator has different guidelines. In order to ensure better security and services, NBTC needs to issue stricter measures to standardize them. In this vein, we are currently considering using the Network Equipment Security Assurance Scheme (NESAS) as an approved framework for operators.”
Mr. Surachai Chatchalermpun of Huawei Technologies (Thailand) spoke about Huawei’s cybersecurity guidelines: “Huawei’s 5G network has been used in over 170 countries around the world. The transition from 4G to 5G has changed the development of applications as increasing numbers of people have turned to using 4K video streaming services and other AI-related programs and applications. The Internet of Things (IOT), which is part of Huawei’s network connection, will be a bridge to link everyone together quickly and easily, and we believe that data processing will increase significantly in the near future with the direct involvement of 5G technology. Our customers have to connect with Huawei’s network for livestreaming, online radio, YouTube broadcasting, or even Smart City projects and Telemedicine programs. As a global 5G technology supplier, we must develop safer devices that comply with Thailand’s 2019 Cybersecurity Act. In this sense, our 5G technology can be compared to a lock and key. Personal data is encrypted and 2-factor authentication provides an additional layer of security which is even more difficult to breach.”
“Huawei has a wide variety of IOT solutions and the use of these IOT solutions has been increasing. These solutions need to be connected to the internet, but if security systems are weak, there are higher risks of cyber-attacks resulting in possible network infrastructure failures. As a system and device developer, Huawei must provide guidelines for network operators to enhance their cybersecurity protections. While Thailand is following global trends on cybersecurity, it remains an issue that requires collaboration from all parties and benefits greatly from standardization.”
Mr. Kittipong Thiraruengchaisri of True Corporation said: “While national agencies like NCSA and NBTC are committed to enforcing guidelines, True Corporation is enhancing its guards and protections. There have been well-documented cases of online corporate fraud as well as fraud committed against individual users, and as the number of people accessing the internet increases over the years, the volume of cybercrime has sharply increased with it. Network operators are now working closely with NCSA and NBTC to enhance cybersecurity standards. Similarly, True Corporation is also upgrading its knowledge to provide better security, ensuring safer online experiences for all customers and prosperity for the industry.”
Source: Carl Byoir & Associates
