Program “Perisai Digital – Lindungi Data, Lindungi Diri” / (Digital Shielding Program – Protect Data, Protect Yourself) was carried out at Dewan Pembangunan Siswa, Kompleks Cahaya Siswa, USM Penang on Thursday 18th September 2024 from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. This Program was organized by the MCPF Cyber Security Committee in co-operation with the Student and Alumni Affairs Division, Universiti Sains Malaysia where a total of 135 Years 2, 3 & 4 USM Students together with around 40+ USM Faculty Staff were in attendance.

The Agenda for the Day covered: 1. Talk on Cyber Crime and Scams by PDRM Commercial Crime Investigation Department Penang Deputy Head YDH DSP Pang Meng Tuck; 2. A Forum on the Program theme: Moderator: YBrs. Encik Mohd Ridzman bin Azzahari, Cyber Security and Digital Criminology Expert; Panel 1 Speaker: YBrs. Encik Jazannul Azriq bin Aripin, Manager – Outreach & Corporate Communications, CyberSecurity Malaysia; Panel 2 Speaker: Puan Ratna Sha’erah Kamaludin, Executive Director – Association of Islamabad c Banking & Financial Institutions Malaysia (AIBIM); 3. Demo and Talk on “Helah Siber: Scammer vs Hacker” by YBrs. Encik Ahmad Faizal Zulkipli, Chief Operation Officer – Yayasan Digital Malaysia; 5. Closing Ceremony: 5.1 Official Speech by YBhg. Prof. Dato’ Dr. Mohamad Fauzan bin Noordin, Chairman of Cyber Security Committee MCPF; 5.2 Closing officiated by YBrs. Professor Dr. Azlan bin Amran, Deputy Vice-Chancellor – Student and Alumni Affairs, USM; 5.3 Presentation of Souvenirs. Closing Ceremony Attendees were: 1. YBrs. Professor Dr. Azlan bin Amran, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Student & Alumni Affairs, USM; 2. YBhg. Prof. Dato’ Dr. Mohamad Fauzan bin Noordin, Chairman of Cyber Security Committee, MCPF; 3. YBhg. Dato’ Seri Ong Poh Eng, Penang, Chairman, MCPF Penang; 4. Professor Ir. Dr. Nor Ashidi bin Mat Isa, Director – Digital Transformation Centre, USM; 5. Encik Shukeri bin A. Rahaman, Senior Deputy Registrar, Student & Alumni Affairs Division, USM; 6. Professor Dr. Azizah Omar, Director, Student Development Centre; 7. MCPF Penang State Liaison Committee Members (present throughout the Program): 7.1 Mr. Johnny Michael Tan, Secretary; 7.2 Mr. James Mohan Chairman, Southwest District Liaison Committee; and, 7.2 Mr. Joseph Sawaremuthu, SLC Member; 8. MCPF (Federal) Secretariat: 8.1 Mr. Bala Karupiah, Operation & Corporate Communication Manager; 8.2 Puan Nur Farahdilla binti Sulaiman, Senior Executive, Admin & Finance; and, 8.3 Encik Muhamad bin Abdul Ghafar, Executive, Corporate Communication.

Program Key Learnings: 1. This program emphasizes that each individual must take personal ownership in striving to create a safer and more secure digital environment for ourselves and future generations; 2. Program participants were also given exposure to the latest digital scams which included various tactics such a phishing via QR codes, investment scams on social media platforms, TAC/OTP scams, gift scams, and impersonation via applications, with the aim of stealing the victim’s personal and financial information. The public must be wary of offers that are too good to be true, avoid scanning suspicious QR codes, and to always activate double / triple security protection on our own bank accounts. Notables included: 1. Insights to the vast differences in Social Media / Mobile phone Applications, vulnerabilities and technological advances like A.I. from past to present; 2. A reminder to students present to play their part in facilitating / guiding forthcoming new student intakes on learnings from the program; 3. Background on the Origins, Structure and Mission / Objectives of MCPF by Prof Dato’ Dr Muhamad Fauzan bin Noordin; 4. Encouragement to use Call authenticity screening Apps like TrueCaller and WhosCall. A well planned, highly interactive and executed program. Kudos to the Organizers and Participants.