KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 14): Japanese multinational cybersecurity software company Trend Micro Inc said it blocked 63 billion email threats, malicious files, and malicious URLs globally in the first half of 2022 (1H22), representing a 54% year-on-year (y-o-y) increase.

In a statement on Wednesday (Sept 14), Trend Micro Malaysia and nascent countries managing director Goh Chee Hoh said new and emerging threat groups have continued to evolve their business model, focusing their attacks with even greater precision.

“That is why it is essential that organisations get better at mapping, understanding, and protecting their expanding digital attack surface.

“A single, unified cybersecurity platform is the best place to start,” he said.

Goh said in the Malaysian context, a total of 239.21 million cyberthreats were blocked in 1H22.

He said Trend Micro detected an alarming increase of 282% y-o-y in ransomware attacks in 1H22.

Meanwhile, the number of detected malware surged by 227% from 1H21 to 21,566,246.

Goh said proactive and effective cybersecurity investments and measures are pivotal to keep the ever-evolving cyberthreats at bay in ensuring continuous business operations to drive and strengthen economic growth.

“To deal with new or heightened risks of more sophisticated cybercriminals, we welcome the Government’s initiative to enhance existing legal provisions to protect the country against cyberthreats,” he said.

In addition, Goh hopes that the upcoming Budget 2023 announcement would explore initiatives to solidify the nation’s cybersecurity posture by emphasising the importance and value of investing in cybersecurity to mitigate cyberattacks regardless of the economic situation.

Budget 2023 will be tabled on Oct 7.