The two-day Digital Future Conference (DFC) 2024 concluded yesterday with discussions on cybersecurity and the ethical considerations of artificial intelligence (AI) at the Bridex Banquet Hall.
The conference, organised by the Information and Communications Technology Industry Authority of Brunei Darussalam (AITI) in partnership with Cyber Security Brunei (CSB), Information Technology Protective Security Services Sdn Bhd (ITPSS) and Pocket, explored strategies for protecting critical infrastructure and the ethical use of AI technologies.
The event, held in conjunction with the Brunei Mid-Year Conference and Exhibition (Brunei MYCE) 2024, saw the participation of over 350 participants, including local and international representatives from government, statutory bodies, the private sector, the ICT industry and higher education institutions (HEIs).
The morning session featured a panel discussion on ‘Securing Critical Infrastructure: Protecting Assets’, led by CSB Deputy Chief Information Security Officer Mohamad Azad Zaki bin Haji Mohd Tahir, Flexxon Pte Ltd (Singapore) Managing Director Camellia Chan, Mastercard Data and Services Director of Cyber and Digital Resilience Fred Yap and Unified National Networks Sdn Bhd (UNN) Cybersecurity Product Manager Erdiny Mugit as panel members.
Participants discussed strategies and technologies to protect key institutions from cyber threats. Handrie bin Haji Amin, Head of Cybercrime Investigation Division, Criminal Investigation Department, Royal Brunei Police, gave a presentation on “Cybercrime in Brunei Darussalam,” providing real-life examples of scams and how cybercriminals operate.
Farah Zainal, Head of AITI Data Protection Office, as Secretary of the AI Governance and Ethics Working Group, shared the principles of the draft “Guide for AI Governance and Ethics in Brunei Darussalam”, which outlines the responsible, ethical and trustworthy use of AI technologies that organizations should consider when developing, designing, deploying and using AI technologies in the country.
The event also featured a panel discussion on “Protecting Our Society,” which examined society’s role in cybersecurity, with a focus on how digital literacy could enable individuals and organizations to navigate cyberspace safely. Government and business leaders discussed whether AI is good or bad, emphasizing the importance of increasing digital awareness.
Panelists included Hajah Nurul Akmar binti Haji Mohammad Jaafar, Chief Marketing Officer of Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam, Head of Digital Investment Office of Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation Raymond Siva and Founder of @ranoadidas Rano Iskandar.
Meanwhile, the afternoon session saw ITPSS Operations Manager Muhammad Hanif Jumat deliver a special presentation on ‘iDentiti’, a blockchain-based digital identity and verified identification solution, followed by Brunei Cybersecurity Association (BCSA) Vice President Muhammad Hakim bin Haji Bakri, who presented how BCSA brings together cybersecurity professionals, experts and enthusiasts to collaborate, share knowledge and address the ever-evolving challenges of cyber threats. Siti Nadzirah Zaini and Norwaze Mustaqqem bin Abdullah of Tech One Global Ltd concluded the conference with a presentation on using Microsoft’s Copilot as an AI daily companion, exploring how Copilot leverages AI to improve productivity, unleash creativity and enhance understanding of information through simple chat interactions. – James Kon
