Vital Infrastructure Resilience In Europe Is A Global Warning, Indonesia Must Strengthen National Cyber Defense

Photo: Doc. Indonesia Digital & Cyber Institute (IDCI)

JAKARTA - The Indonesia Digital & Cyber Institute (IDCI) considers that major disruptions to vital infrastructure that occur in a number of European countries, including Spain and Portugal, are a serious warning to the world.

Although the root of the problem stems from electrical disturbances, the impact has spread to digital, social and economic systems, signaling the need for total preparedness in dealing with the cross-system crisis. This incident confirms that national resilience is not only a matter of technology devices, but also managerial and integrated crisis communication capabilities.

In response to this situation, IDCI formulated strategic steps to strengthen national cyber defense and digital infrastructure as a whole through six initiatives in three main program clusters.

First, IDCI focuses on strengthening national standards and audits through the establishment of the National Digital Security Certification & Audit Center (NDSCAC) and the Indonesia Cyber Risk Index (ICRI), which is designed as a center for legal accreditation and the preparation of the national cyber risk index based on sectors and regions.

Second, IDCI encourages the development of smart technology surveillance capacity and systems through the Cybersecurity Professional Certification Program (CPCP), as well as a Digital System Inspection and Verification scheme based on Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain technology.

This initiative is designed to ensure the transparency and reliability of critical technologies, such as the electronic electoral system and the state defense command system.

Third, IDCI emphasizes the importance of strengthening crisis responses to systemic threats through the establishment of the Industrial Cyber Incident Response Center (ICIRC) and the launch of the Digital Trust for Indonesia national campaign aimed at building public awareness and strengthening collective confidence in the national digital transformation process.

IDCI Executive Director, Yayang Ruzaldy, in a written statement, Saturday, May 3, stated that cross-border incidents in Europe should be a global alarm that encourages Indonesia to be proactive and not just reactive.

"Resilience of a digital system and vital infrastructure is part of national sovereignty that cannot be delayed, because it concerns the safety and stability of the country as a whole," he explained.

He emphasized the importance of policy synergy, human resource preparedness, and a reliable crisis communication system in building a national cyber defense ecosystem.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Executive Director of IDCI for Cyber Security, Mario Romano, added that Indonesia must immediately build an independent, adaptive, and decentralized digital and energy security architecture. He explained that IDCI has mapped a number of important steps that the government needs to take.

One of them is conducting security assessments of information and network technology systems in various strategic sectors, such as electricity, telecommunications, banking, to the national transportation system. This comprehensive audit is needed to identify loopholes and set priorities for strengthening the digital defense system sectorally," he explained.

Mario also highlighted the importance of using domestic products based on the High Domestic Component Level (TKDN). The use of local technology will not only support the growth of the national industry, but also reduce dependence on foreign systems prone to intervention and sabotage.

In addition, he reminded that the design of the national infrastructure architecture must adopt a redundancy and decentralization approach. Thus, if an attack or damage occurs at one point of the system, national operations can still take place through alternative lanes or nodes.

IDCI also encourages the establishment of a special task force that focuses on digital resilience and national energy. This task force is expected to involve elements of the government, academics, the technology community, and industry players, to ensure rapid, appropriate, and structured coordination of emergency response policies and executions.

Finally, Mario emphasized that domestic technology partnerships must be strengthened, especially with digital innovation actors such as cybersecurity startups and technology universities. They must be the main partners in producing strategic solutions based on real needs and Indonesian characteristics.

Through this series of steps, IDCI affirms its commitment to become a strategic partner of the government and society in building a solid national digital defense fort amid increasing hybrid threats and the growing complexity of global crises.