KUALA NERUS, 13 December 2025– As part of its university social responsibility commitment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) has organized the Cybersafe Programme that focused on the local community, especially civil servants, pensioners, and senior citizens identified as among the groups most vulnerable to becoming cyber fraud victims.

The programme was implemented based on a structured module using the Engage–Educate–Empower (E3) approach, which emphasises active community engagement, digital safety education, and efforts to empower society through practical training and continuous support. This approach is seen as timely, given that cyber fraud tactics are becoming increasingly complex and continue to evolve alongside digital technological advancements.

According to the Dean of the Faculty of Computer Science and Mathematics, Prof. Ts. Dr. Muhammad Suzuri Hitam, digital security issues now require serious attention from all parties.

“Empowering cyber literacy is not merely about organising programmes; it is a social responsibility to protect society. With the rise in online fraud cases, data theft, and digital exploitation, continuous education is key to building a more resilient community,” he said.

Meanwhile, a programme participant who is also a retiree, Zahara Kedri, described such initiatives as necessary to be expanded to raise awareness among senior citizens and retirees so that they are more alert and cautious of the various fraud tactics used by scammers.

She added that direct exposure through case sharing, simulations, and practical exercises helped retirees understand more about the real risks of the digital world, as well as the basic steps needed to protect themselves and their personal information.

In conjunction with the programme, UMT also took the opportunity to boost research and development (R&D) activities in the field of cybersecurity, particularly related to data theft and information protection. These efforts will be strengthened through the introduction of a Cloud Computing Security academic programme in the near future as a strategic move to produce more local experts in digital security.

The organisation of the Cybersafe Programme also reflects UMT’s concern over the rising trend of cybercrime, such as online fraud, personal data theft, and digital exploitation, which not only result in financial losses but also cause psychological impacts on victims, especially senior citizens.

The initiative is expected to deliver lasting impact to the community and contribute to the development of a more digitally literate, resilient, and secure society in facing today’s cyber threats.

Published by:

Corporate Communications Office

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu