Kuala Lumpur – 20 October 2022. School of Computing (SOC) received national recognition for its excellence in research and consultancy activities during the Malaysia Cyber Security Awards 2022. CyberSecurity Malaysia organised the event, and the agency awarded the “Cyber Security Outreach Provider of the Year” to SOC for its active involvement in national cybersecurity development.

This award is mainly given to SOC after the successful completion of a consultation project funded by CyberSecurity Malaysia entitled “National Baseline Study on the level of Cybersecurity Awareness among Schoolchildren and Parents 2021/2022”, led by Professor Ts. Dr. Suhaidi Hassan. The team comprised nine other members who completed a national-level study from September 2021 until February 2022. The project was obtained through a tender prepared by the Cooperative of Digital Experts (CodeX); established by the school members.

The study that received the award mainly identified the level of awareness of school children on cybersecurity components such as cyberbullying, identity theft, and hacking and analysed the level of awareness and control measures by parents on cybersecurity threats. A total of 16,908 respondents, comprising 13,953 school children, including special education students and 2,955 parents, participated in the study.

Meanwhile, SOC’s Dean, Professor Ts. Dr. Azham Hussain expressed his gratitude for the prestigious award and achievement that the team has demonstrated. “School of Computing has developed its expertise in Cybersecurity and is able to provide consultation and training in the area. The school also established expertise in Data analytics, software quality and smart and digital development for the community,” he said.
He also urged all SOC staff to increase engagement with industries and agencies and establish collaboration, especially in promoting high-quality research. Finally, he wished each school member to be contiously motivated and work towards achieving the university’s missions.