Dr Noor Nirwandy Mat Noordin said Malaysia must strengthen its defence structure with a dedicated military cyber force capable of countering emerging threats beyond conventional battlefields.
PETALING JAYA: The next war may not begin with an explosion but with a click as AI, cyber attacks and information warfare reshape modern conflict and threaten to influence public perception, a security analyst has said.
Universiti Teknologi Mara Centre for Media and Information Warfare Studies senior lecturer Dr Noor Nirwandy Mat Noordin said Malaysia must strengthen its defence structure with a dedicated military cyber force capable of countering emerging threats beyond conventional battlefields.
He said modern warfare has expanded beyond physical attacks to include subversion, radicalisation and cognitive warfare aimed at influencing the thoughts and behaviour of societies.
“We need the capacity to build a strong form of ‘mind security’ as a primary mechanism to defend our country, particularly its citizens, from being influenced by elements of cognitive warfare,” he stressed.
“This is important in the context of today’s cyber and AI-related threats, and would help prevent the public from being drawn into subversive activities, radicalism and other related elements.”
He also said a future cyber force should be developed around three key areas, namely the cognitive and information domains, as well as the physical and technological infrastructure needed to confront digital threats.
He emphasised that technological capabilities would be crucial as threats become increasingly AI-driven and digitally enabled.
“Technological apparatus will play a vital role in cyber defence because modern threats are increasingly AI-based and digitally based.
“We are also moving towards autonomous weapon systems, which are closely related to the use of AI in future modern warfare, and this is already happening. So, it is about time for us to develop this capability.
“All three domains are important to ensure we are prepared with a modern defence system to protect the country and eventually become a regional model for cyber defence within Asean.”
Noor Nirwandy added that the proposed force should complement existing capabilities rather than duplicate the roles of national cybersecurity agencies or the Defence Cyber and Electromagnetic Division.
He stressed that Malaysia has already made progress in strengthening its cybersecurity framework, including conducting exercises involving threats to National Critical Information Infrastructure.
However, he said the Defence Ministry and the armed forces still need a dedicated unit that could integrate the various domains of cyber, information and technological warfare.
“The defence structure needs to evolve as the threat evolves. It is important for us to invest in talent, advisory capabilities, academic expertise and technology.
“If we could eventually develop our own software-based defence systems and establish a hub for protection against cyber warfare, that would be an added advantage.”
Noor Nirwandy said the establishment of such a force could also create a new pathway for graduates and specialists in cybersecurity, AI and information warfare to contribute directly to national defence.
“Having a dedicated unit requires highly trained personnel. It is time to recruit young people and graduates from cyber, AI and information warfare backgrounds and make them part of the national defence structure.
“This could become a catalyst for manpower development and create new career opportunities for experts in these fields.”
