Zara Laila Cheong, the ASEAN Regional Award winner for Top Women in Security 2025, discusses her journey into cybersecurity, starting with a degree in computer science. She emphasised the significance of the award for Brunei, a small country with a population of 450,000, inspiring young women to pursue a career in IT and security. Her current role involves nationwide cybersecurity solutions, including blockchain for the national digital identity project. She highlighted the evolving nature of ransomware, now integrated with AI, and the need for advanced solutions. The awards have boosted her international recognition, enabling opportunities in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore.
Zara was a contributing speaker at the Ransomware Resilience Conference 2026 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
For more information visit https://cybersecurityasia.tech/
For information on the Women in Security ASEAN Region Awards visit https://womeninsecurityaseanregion.com/
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