Indonesian President Joko Widodo and President-elect Prabowo Subianto have approved the formation of a new Cyber Force within the Indonesian Military (TNI) to enhance the country’s ability to respond to cyber attacks from foreign entities. This new cyber military unit will operate as the fourth branch of the TNI alongside the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, Hadi Tjahjanto, emphasized the importance of defending against foreign cyber threats in modern warfare, which require strategies to address proxy wars, asymmetric conflicts, and propaganda battles.
The decision to establish the Cyber Force comes in the wake of a significant cyber attack in June that targeted Indonesian government offices, disrupting immigration services and airport operations. The new military unit is expected to be responsible for conducting daily cyber patrols and implementing security measures, including psychological operations to influence minds and counter cyber threats effectively. President-elect Prabowo has shown a strong interest in cyber security developments and has endorsed the plan to establish the Cyber Force, indicating a commitment to enhancing Indonesia’s cyber defence capabilities.
Indonesia’s move to establish a Cyber Force follows the examples set by other nations that have already made strides in developing specialized cyber units, such as China, Germany, Norway, and Singapore. While this marks a significant step for Indonesia, officials have raised concerns about the effectiveness of the Cyber Force without adequate funding and defence equipment. Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Lodewijk Freidrich Paulus, emphasized the importance of having advanced cyber defence equipment to support the capabilities of the Cyber Force, noting that cyber technology development is costly but necessary in the current security landscape.
Lodewijk warned that without consistent investment in defence technology and satellite systems, Indonesia risks falling behind in the cyber security domain and leaving its data vulnerable to attacks. He stressed the need for sophisticated tools and equipment for the Cyber Force, highlighting the importance of quality over quantity in building a strong cyber defence capability. The creation of a specialized cyber unit within the Indonesian Military signifies a step towards bolstering the country’s cyber security capabilities and readiness to counter the evolving threats in modern warfare.
In a parliamentary meeting in Jakarta, officials discussed the challenges of recruiting specialists for the Cyber Force due to the highly technical nature of cyber defence equipment. Mr. Hadi and Mr. Lodewijk emphasized the need for proper funding and resources to ensure the effectiveness of the new military unit in addressing cyber threats effectively. As Indonesia moves forward with establishing the Cyber Force, it is crucial for the government to allocate resources to support the unit and invest in advanced defence technology to build a robust cyber defence capability to protect the country’s national security interests.
