THE first version of Sarawak Big Data is to be rolled out by the first quarter of next year to pave the way for the development of the state’s digital economy.
Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg said it will represent a small but first step in the state’s journey of a thousand miles in its digital economy development.
“Our database now is still small. But we shall provide sufficient capacity for it to grow with the digital economy. The Sarawak Big Data will become a new strategic asset for Sarawak in the years to come, and the Sarawak government shall own it.
“Of course we will continue to secure our important data that will not be made accessible to enemies to prevent any abuse or misuse,” he said when delivering his winding–up speech in the august House yesterday.
Abang Johari said Big Data, which forms the basic core of the digital economy that Sarawak must leapfrog into, allows for the sharing of data so that the complete demand and supply situation is analysed and controlled.
“With Big Data, the demand preferences of the consumers are to be analysed, appropriate products or services designed, made and supplied to, and the necessary payments made.
“Big Data therefore opens up a whole new world of opportunities for businesses as well as for the government in providing useful services to the general public,” he explained.
He said most of the databases of government departments and agencies in the state were already digitised, but in separate dedicated servers.
“I now want government servers to be linked so that non-personal and non-sensitive data can be shared and made accessible to the general public,” he said.
With Big Data, he said the government and the private sector would be opening up their databases to the world and as such, cybersecurity is a must.
“In fact, we must first establish our framework for cybersecurity before our Big Data can be rolled out. Furthermore, so long as Big Data is made available to the world, we must keep constant vigilance over cybersecurity.
“Cybersecurity is not only about clear and present danger but also potential new sources of attacks. The knowledge and talent that is required to ensure that cybersecurity in Sarawak is tight means that we must seriously encourage the development of cybersecurity as an industry in Sarawak,” he added.
He concluded that the essential core of the digital economy for Sarawak should consist of “the twins of Big Data and cybersecurity”.