Indonesia is facing a "cybersecurity perfect storm" driven by a mix of global, regional, and domestic factors. As the country’s digital economy rapidly expands, its significant population and various challenges highlight the urgent need for effective cybersecurity measures to maintain its trajectory as Asia’s economic powerhouse.

According to ISC2’s Global Cybersecurity Workforce Survey 2023, there is a global shortage of nearly 4 million cybersecurity professionals, with Asia Pacific lacking 267 million. In Indonesia, hiring and retaining skilled cybersecurity professionals can take 6-8 months, leading to understaffed internal teams.

Indonesia boasts a young population with around 200 million Internet users. As per the e-Conomy SEA 2023 report by Google, Temasek, and Bain & Company, Indonesia’s digital economy is the largest in the region and projected to grow to ~$110 billion by 2025 and double by 2030. This digital transformation increases exposure to cyber risks.

The 2024 survey by Indonesia’s Association of Internet Service Providers (APJII) reveals that about 42.5% of Internet users are unaware of common cybercrime risks. This low awareness heightens vulnerability to sophisticated cyber-attacks like spear-phishing and social engineering.

To address these challenges, Indonesia is focusing on improving its cybersecurity maturity. The Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) Institute’s Cybermaturity Platform helps organizations evaluate and enhance their cybersecurity posture. This involves self-assessment, gap analysis, and implementing improvement plans, particularly focusing on developing and retaining a skilled cybersecurity workforce. Despite limited public data on cybersecurity maturity levels, the National Cyber and Crypto Agency (BSSN) found that 45 out of 65 evaluated government institutions scored 259 or better, with the highest at 485. The Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises (SOE) aims for continuous improvement in Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) functions. As Indonesia continues to refine its cybersecurity strategies, closing the workforce and awareness gaps will be crucial in securing its digital future and maintaining a leading position in Southeast Asia's digital economy.

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