CYBERSECURITY CHALLENGES IN THE MALACCA STRAITS: INDONESIA’S STRATEGIC APPROACH THROUGH BSSN AND IMIC

Abstract

The government’s attention is anticipated to be directed towards the proper management of maritime cybersecurity in the Malacca Strait, given the intricate nature of the dangers involved. This will assist Indonesia’s objectives as a Global Maritime Axis. Indonesia has created institutional synergies through BSSN and BAKAMLA to ensure that daily operations in this area are at the forefront of minimizing maritime cybersecurity threats. Using theories of cybersecurity, maritime security, and security cooperation, this article aims to understand the cooperation between these institutions, namely BSSN through BDS and BAKAMLA with IMIC, in the field of maritime security, including the mitigation of maritime cybersecurity threats that jeopardize national sovereignty. The essay uses a descriptive qualitative method to show how Indonesia is working hard to merge these two agencies so they can better address maritime cybersecurity in Indonesian waters and this paper was validated by interviewing several actors or strategic position holders in IMIC and BSSN who play a direct role in the technical field. This involves working together to address marine cybersecurity concerns in the “Nusantara Jaya,” or Malacca Strait. Though decisions from the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) are still pending, in practice, collaboration between these government entities is dependent on the legal frameworks provided by Indonesian laws and regulations controlling marine security, safety, and law enforcement. After these frameworks are put into effect, it is envisaged that they will make maritime management and operations clearer and avoid redundancies between the pertinent agencies.