Data sanitisation of electronic devices to maintain users’ data
CYBERJAYA: Those intending to sell their electronic devices, like smartphone and computer, are advised to send them to CyberSecurity Malaysia (CSM) for data sanitisation process to avoid breach of their data.
CSM chief executive officer Datuk Dr Amiruddin Abdul Wahab said the move would help curb cyber harassment, as well as prevent them from becoming victims of exploitation by irresponsible quarters.
“Usually, consumers simply delete the data themselves, like their pictures and documents, before selling their smartphones or computers. It is dangerous because although the data has been deleted, it can still be recovered,” he said in an interview with Bernama at his office here.
He said CSM, through its MyCyberSecurity Clinic, provided data sanitisation service to the public, including companies, to help maintain their safety and privacy.
CSM, he said, has also set up a one-stop cyber centre known as Cyber999 for the public to lodge complaints on cyber crime.
To date, we have received nearly 100,000 reports, he added.
“When we received a report, we will analyse the report and then channel it to the relevant authorities.
“For example, if the offence is related to an act under the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission ( MCMC), we will hand over the information to the commission for further action,” he said.
According to CSM’s general incident classification statistics, there are nine categories of cyber crime, namely content related, cyber harassment, denial of services, fraud, intrusion, attempted intrusion, malicious code, spam and vulnerabilities report.
Based on the statistics, out of 2,977 incidents reported between January and April this year, fraud recorded the highest number of cases, totalling 1,963 , followed by malicious code (390), intrusion (339), content (100), cyber harassment (88), spam (37), intrusion attempt (34), vulnerabilities report (21) and service denial (five).
Amiruddin said CSM is acting as a technical expert agency whose role is to provide assistance and support, including digital forensic, to parties involved in cyber crime investigation.
Among cases the CSM digital forensic team was involved were identifying the suspects in the killing of a cat at a self-service laundrette in Taman Gombak Ria last year, and also in evaluating the flight simulator of MH370.
“We have the most experienced lab and the first in Asia-Pacific to be recognised by the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors, which is the same body that accredited the United States-Federal Bureau of Investigation’s lab,” said Amiruddin.
Established in 2005, CSM, which reports to the Communications and Multimedia Ministry, is committed to providing a broad range of cybersecurity innovation-led services, programmes and initiatives to help reduce the vulnerability of digital systems, and at the same time strengthen Malaysia’s self-reliance in cyberspace.
CSM provides Cyber Security Responsive Services, Cyber Security Proactive Services, Outreach and Capacity Building, Strategic Study and Engagement and Industry and Research Development. - Bernama