Kill switch could curb online threats - Cybersecurity Expert

KUALA LUMPUR - The government’s proposal to enforce the ‘kill switch’ to enhance cybersecurity is a bold plan, as it allows rapid intervention by authorities, enabling them to swiftly cut off access to malicious sites or services.

Anne Cutler, a cybersecurity expert at Keeper Security, said that allowing authorities to swiftly block access to dangerous sites or services -- especially social media platforms -- could be a powerful tool in combating persistent and harmful cyber activities

"In theory, this could substantially mitigate the impact of severe cyber incidents, including large-scale online scams, cyberbullying and other serious digital crimes,” she said in a statement recently.

On July 28, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman said a new legislation encompassing provisions on procedures and enforcement of the kill switch to enhance cyber security will be tabled in Parliament this October.

Azalina said the move would hold social media and internet messaging service providers accountable for addressing online crimes, including scams, cyberbullying, the dissemination of child sexual abuse materials, harassment, and sexual extortion.

Regardless of whether the kill switch concept is implemented, the Malaysian government must develop a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy that includes advanced threat detection, public awareness campaigns and robust fraud prevention measures, said Cutler.

"Strengthening password security, implementing Multi-Factor Authentication and promoting privacy and cybersecurity education among citizens are simple measures that can significantly bolster defences against cyber threats,” she added.

Meanwhile, Synopsys Software Integrity senior director (security engineering) Kelvin Lim said the kill switch provides an additional layer of protection for users.

"For example, in an online banking context, the kill-switch is a self-service security feature that allows users to deactivate their online banking access and block all account activities.

"However, caution needs to be taken as well to ensure that the kill switch will not be a target of denial-of-service attacks, where malicious actors trick the social media service provider or users into activating the kill switch to interrupt service,” he added. - BERNAMA