Nezar Patria Stresses Strategic Cybersecurity Importance

RRI.CO.ID, Depok: Vice Minister of Communication and Digital, Nezar Patria, highlighted cybersecurity as a growing national concern at the National Cyber and Crypto Agency (BSSN) Executive Town Hall 2026. The event took place in Depok, West Java, on Monday, 19 January 2026.

In his remarks, the vice minister urged a broader understanding of cybersecurity challenges. He said cyber risks now extend beyond technical disruptions.

“Cybersecurity today can no longer be understood as a technical issue or merely the handling of hacking incidents,” Nezar said.

According to Nezar, cyberspace has evolved into a strategic arena shaping public life. Administrative services, healthcare systems, social assistance, and elections rely on digital platforms and any disruption therefore carries serious societal consequences.

He also warned about threats that develop gradually within digital systems. Such risks often remain unnoticed over time. “The main threat is not spectacular large-scale cyberattacks, but the gradual erosion of sovereignty within systems,” Nezar said.

He pointed to vulnerabilities caused by reliance on foreign digital infrastructure. Strategic data leaks and information manipulation could disrupt essential public services. These risks may weaken public trust in government systems.

Turning to infrastructure security, he said digital assets must be treated strategically. Subsea cables, data centers, cloud systems, digital identity platforms, and artificial intelligence were cited. All, he said, form part of a national security domain.