Singapore - In a significant step toward strengthening cybersecurity in Southeast Asia, the ASEAN Japan Cybersecurity Community Alliance (AJCCA) and the South East Cybersecurity Consortium (SEA-CC) signed a memorandum of understanding, witnessed by Singapore’s Minister of State for Digital Development and Information, Ms. Rahayu Mahzam, and AJCCA Chairman, Dr. Rudi Lumanto. The signing, held during Singapore’s Cybersecurity Week, marks a pivotal moment for both organizations in their joint mission to create a safer digital environment within the ASEAN region.

This agreement establishes SEA-CC as AJCCA’s second global partner, solidifying their shared commitment to advancing cybersecurity initiatives throughout the region. Both organizations are eager to expand their reach and deliver meaningful cybersecurity improvements that benefit society.

Dr. Rudi Lumanto expressed confidence in the partnership’s potential, stating, "Collaborating with various regional communities will strengthen security awareness and accelerate our goal of enhancing cybersecurity capacity." He emphasized the necessity of these partnerships in ensuring that ASEAN is prepared for the growing challenges of cyber threats.

During the AJCCA conference, Dr. Rudi, representing the Association of Information Security Professionals (AiSP), also awarded prizes in the first AiSP ASEAN Bug Bounty Challenge. Team Unicorn won the top prize of SGD 4,000, with Mr. Christophe Vantet taking second place with SGD 3,200. The challenge underscored the importance of nurturing cybersecurity talent and innovation to protect the region's digital infrastructure.

This partnership and the success of the Bug Bounty Challenge reflect AJCCA’s ongoing dedication to promoting regional cooperation and elevating cybersecurity standards across ASEAN.