Brunei has raged up its efforts to battle cyber threats and on-line scams, with Minister of Transport and Infocommunications Yang Berhormat Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Shamhary bin Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Mustapha revealing that 82 fraudulent web sites and 557 telephone numbers have been blocked since 2024. These actions had been taken in collaboration with varied companies to guard residents from cyber dangers.
The minister shared this info through the twenty first Legislative Council session, responding to a query raised by Yang Berhormat Haji Mohd Salleh bin Haji Othman on the ministry’s initiatives to deal with smartphone hacking and scams. He emphasised that blocking fraudulent web sites and telephone numbers used for scams stays a steady effort, undertaken in coordination with the Royal Brunei Police Power (RBPF), Unified Nationwide Networks (UNN), and native service suppliers.
Brunei Key Initiatives to Fight On-line Scams
To strengthen Brunei’s cybersecurity framework, a number of measures and normal working procedures (SOPs) have been put in place to deal with complaints associated to rip-off calls and fraudulent SMS. These SOPs guarantee swift motion towards reported numbers and web sites utilized in cyber fraud.
A serious initiative in tackling unlawful actions involving calls and SMS is the re-registration of pay as you go SIM playing cards. Carried out by the Authority for Information-communications Expertise Trade of Brunei Darussalam (AITI) in collaboration with UNN, Datastream Digital Sdn Bhd, Progresif Sdn Bhd, and picture Sdn Bhd, the programme runs from January 2 to December 31.
Re-registration helps preserve an up to date person database, aiding law enforcement in stopping the misuse of SIM playing cards for fraudulent actions, together with scams and the unfold of pretend information. As of February 1, a complete of 55,148 pay as you go customers, representing 13% of customers, have re-registered their SIM playing cards. Efforts are ongoing to encourage extra customers to conform.
Public Consciousness and Collaboration
AITI, together with service suppliers, continues to implement public consciousness initiatives. Collaborating with Brunei Darussalam Central Financial institution (BDCB), RBPF, and non-governmental organizations, AITI has been conducting briefing classes for senior residents and youth to teach them about on-line safety risks. Awareness supplies corresponding to posters and video clips have additionally been produced.
Furthering the proactive approach, Cyber Security Brunei (CSB) held a workshop during last year’s cybersecurity convention, involving regulation enforcement companies, BDCB, and Brunei’s three main banks. The workshop launched technological strategies to reinforce fraud detection via the Fraud Intelligence Platform. CSB is contemplating adopting this platform to watch and counter on-line scams successfully.
A digital portal can also be in growth to function a public reference for figuring out components utilized in scams and fraud actions. Moreover, efforts are being made to introduce a cellular app with functionalities just like the portal, permitting customers to simply report and observe scam actions.
Strengthening Digital Security and Truth-Checking
AITI has established a centralized fact-checking platform to fight misinformation and scams. This platform performs an important position in verifying and disseminating genuine info to extend public consciousness of online threats. On account of these efforts, regulation enforcement companies have efficiently arrested people linked to on-line fraud, with a number of circumstances delivered to court docket.
Regulating Social Media and Defending Youngsters On-line
Responding to a question from Yang Berhormat Hajah Safiah binti Sheikh Haji Abdul Salam relating to measures to stability kids’s social media utilization with technological wants, the minister said that Brunei is reviewing regional methods, significantly from ASEAN and Australia.
By means of platforms just like the ASEAN Digital Senior Ministers Assembly and the ASEAN Senior Officers Assembly Answerable for Data, Brunei is working in direction of a collective method in addressing dangerous social media content material.
AITI is in direct contact with Meta (which owns Fb, WhatsApp, and Instagram) to debate safeguarding kids from on-line crimes and inappropriate content material. Final yr, a working go to by Brunei’s Nationwide Cyber Safety Committee to Meta’s Singapore workplace facilitated discussions on tackling cybersecurity threats, together with pretend information, on-line fraud, and AI misuse.
Following these discussions, Meta agreed to nominate a focal contact level for collaboration with RBPF and AITI. The corporate additionally carried out workshops masking fundamental subscriber info administration, refresher programs, and self-management platform coaching for Brunei’s cybersecurity companies.
Blocking Immoral Web sites and Challenges in Content material Regulation
The minister additionally highlighted Brunei’s ongoing efforts to dam web sites that violate the Internet Code of Follow. Over the previous 5 years, 135 web sites containing immoral components have been blocked. Nonetheless, regulating content material on social media stays a problem, as platforms function underneath various neighborhood requirements relying on their nation of origin.
A serious impediment in blocking dangerous content material is the usage of Digital Personal Networks (VPNs), which permit customers to bypass restrictions and entry restricted content material. To handle this, AITI is working with key authorities companies, together with the Ministry of Schooling, the Ministry of Non secular Affairs, and the Ministry of Tradition, Youth, and Sports activities, to implement public consciousness campaigns on accountable web utilization.
In July final yr, AITI additionally up to date its on-line security guidebook, offering dad and mom and educators with steps to guard kids from inappropriate on-line content material. Moreover, the Brunei Laptop Emergency Response Staff (BruCERT) continues to teach the general public via varied packages targeted on cybersecurity greatest practices.
In direction of a Safer Digital Future
Brunei can also be participating with the Worldwide Telecommunication Union (ITU) to develop a complete framework for youngsters’s on-line security. Discussions are underway to prepare workshops involving key companies to refine present rules and implement more practical digital security measures.
With a multi-agency method and steady public engagement, Brunei is reinforcing its cybersecurity infrastructure to counter online scams, defend kids from digital hurt, and guarantee a safe on-line surroundings for all customers.
