Courtesy: Cybersecurity leaders from Malaysia, Rwanda, South Korea, Italy, and Belgium discuss clarity in governace, investment in cyber skills, and international collaboration at a high-level panel on Strengthening National Cybersecurity Governance: Enhancing Coordination and Managing Complexities.

At the opening day of GISEC 2025 on Thursday 8th May in Dubai, global cybersecurity leaders came together for a high-level panel on “Strengthening National Cybersecurity Governance: Enhancing Coordination and Managing Complexities.” The session highlighted diverse strategies and shared challenges, focusing on coordination, skills development, and global partnerships.

Governance Through Clarity and Coordination

Dr. Megat Zuhairy Megat Tajuddin, CEO of Malaysia’s National Cyber Security Agency (NACSA), emphasized that effective cybersecurity starts with clarity in roles and responsibilities. Malaysia’s governance model is sector-specific, prioritizing industries like telecommunications, and supports less mature sectors through guidance and budgeting tools.

Dr. Tajuddin also pointed to the urgent need for cyber talent, noting Malaysia’s estimated shortfall of 30,000 professionals. For Malaysia, building resilience requires both structural clarity and investment in people.

Cybersecurity as a Shared Development Mission

Mr. David Kanamugire, CEO of Rwanda’s National Cybersecurity Authority, advocated for a cultural shift in how cybersecurity is perceived—not as a niche technical concern but as a pillar of national development. Rwanda’s whole-of-government approach encourages all ministries to own their cybersecurity roles.

Key to this vision is Rwanda’s Cybersecurity Academy, which develops skills across sectors and promotes early education. “When cybersecurity is seen as everyone’s business, what was once scary becomes exciting,” Mr. Kanamugire said.

Building Global Trust Through Partnerships

Mr. Jin Young Oh, Vice President of South Korea’s KISA, highlighted the value of international cooperation. South Korea’s Global Cybersecurity Center for Development (GCCD), created with the World Bank, supports developing countries through knowledge-sharing and training.

Programs like the CAMP Alliance bring together cybersecurity professionals from emerging economies, reinforcing South Korea’s role as a global partner. “We’re not just exporting solutions,” Oh noted. “We’re building collective cyber resilience.”

From Fragmentation to Strategic Unity

Rear Admiral Gianluca Galasso of Italy’s National Cybersecurity Agency (ACN) explained how the country transitioned from fragmented oversight to a unified governance model. ACN now operates a dual structure: an operational team that manages real-time responses and a strategic committee that sets national policy.

Italy holds regular intelligence-sharing sessions across public agencies and is investing heavily in cyber education, including technical training in high schools and upskilling programs for civil servants. “Cybersecurity is ever-changing,” Galasso said. “We need adaptable, informed coordination.”

Shared Priorities and a Unified Vision

Despite different national contexts, common lessons emerged:

1. Diversity in tools and players to drive innovation.

2. Cybersecurity must be embedded in all sectors.

3. Centralized coordination for rapid response.

4. Flexible systems and strategic alignment.

The panel concluded with a clear message: cybersecurity must be inclusive, cross-sectoral, and globally coordinated. In an era of increasing digital dependency, resilient governance is not optional—it’s essential.