Kuala Lumpur, 22 January 2025: The rapid integration of Internet of Things (IoT) devices into energy systems across Southeast Asia has heightened the need for robust cybersecurity frameworks. In response, ERIA and IPv6 Forum Malaysia hosted the ‘Cybersecurity for Energy & IoT: ERIA ERAB and CPSF Workshop 2025’ at Hotel Maya, Kuala Lumpur on 22 January 2025. The event brought together distinguished experts and participants from Malaysia, Japan, Indonesia, Thailand, and other countries across ASEAN.

Endorsed by the Cyber Civilization Research Center (CCRC) at Japan’s Keio University and the Nomura Research Institute (NRI) Singapore, the workshop served as a platform for fostering expert collaboration to develop a Cyber-Physical Security Framework (CPSF) for IoT devices and energy systems in the region. It also provided an opportunity for ERIA to engage directly with policymakers and stakeholders involved in designing and implementing cybersecurity frameworks  for the energy sector.

The workshop opened with welcome addresses from:

• Emeritus Dr Sureswaran Ramadass, Chairman of IPv6 Forum Malaysia and APAC IPv6 Council
• Naoto Okura, Director General for Research and Policy Design, ERIA
• Karen Morgan, President, RCSI & UCD Malaysia Campus (RUMC)

Keynote Presentations

Prominent experts delivered keynote presentations, including:

• Ir Dr Khairul Salleh Bin Mohamed Sahari, Vice Chancellor, Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN), Malaysia
• Masaki Umejima, Convener of the Development Plan, IEC System Committee Smart Energy

Expert Talks

A series of expert talks followed, featuring insights from:

• Prof. Dr Shankar Karuppayah, Deputy Director, Cyber Security Research Centre (CYRES), Universiti Sains Malaysia
• Patrick Veron, SFC Forum Foundation, Japan
• Ir Ts. Mahesvaran Sibeperegasam, Lead (Emerging Solution), TNBX, Malaysia
• Teguh Prasetya, Chairman, Indonesia Internet of Things Association (ASIOTI)
• Prof. Wanchalerm Pora, Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand
• Dr Ary Setijadi Prihatmanto, Center for Excellence for Defense and Security Science and Technology, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Indonesia

Panel Discussion

The event continued with an in-depth panel session on CPSF policies and regulations for the energy and IoT sectors, chaired by Dr Navaneethan C. Arjuman from Malaysia’s Multimedia University. Panelists included:

• Masaki Umejima, Convener of the Development Plan, IEC System Committee Smart Energy
• Hiroshige Muraoka, President, NRI Singapore
• Prof. Dr Shankar Karuppayah, Deputy Director, CYRES, Universiti Sains Malaysia
• Shaifubahrim Bin Mohd Saleh, Director, Cybersecurity Malaysia

The workshop concluded with a closing speech by Akinori Kahata, Deputy Director, Electricity Industry and Market Office, Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI).