DIGITAL SUSTAINABILITY AND CYBERSECURITY EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMME EQUIPS SENIOR CITIZENS TO NAVIGATE DIGITAL THREATS
USM, PENANG, 13 August 2026 – As digital technology becomes increasingly embedded in everyday life, the ability to use it safely, confidently and responsibly is no longer simply a valuable skill, but an essential component of personal and community well-being. While technological advancement has brought greater convenience to communication, financial transactions and daily activities, it has also created new avenues for online scams, fraud and increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. Recognising the need to strengthen digital resilience among senior citizens, the Centre for Global Sustainability Studies (CGSS), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), in collaboration with the Implementation Coordination Unit, Prime Minister’s Department (JPM), organised the Digital Sustainability and Cybersecurity Empowerment Programme for Senior Citizens from 11 to 12 August 2026 at Seminar Room 1, TORAY Building, USM.
The programme targeted Bumiputera participants aged 50 and above, particularly administrative and operations officers, teachers and education support staff under the Penang State Education Department. It was designed to strengthen participants’ knowledge, awareness and practical skills in navigating an increasingly complex digital environment. Rather than focusing solely on cybersecurity concepts, the programme equipped participants with practical knowledge to identify online scams and cyberattacks, recognise warning signs, protect personal information, secure financial and digital accounts, and respond appropriately to potential threats. Conducted in three series, the programme adopted a progressive learning approach, beginning with fundamental cybersecurity awareness, followed by practical training and simulations, and culminating in activities designed to strengthen participants’ ability to respond to real-world digital threats.
On the first day, the programme commenced with a welcoming address by CGSS Director, Associate Professor Dr. Mohd Wira Mohd Shafiei, who highlighted the importance of ensuring that technological advancement is accompanied by strong security awareness. He encouraged participants to remain vigilant when navigating the digital environment, particularly by verifying information and avoiding suspicious links, messages or requests, especially those involving personal information and financial transactions.
The opening session was followed by an introduction to the programme delivered by Honorary Associate Professor Dr. Hj. Mohd Sayuti Hassan, CGSS Lecturer and Programme Coordinator. The session provided participants with a clear overview of the programme’s objectives, content, learning approach and training structure, while outlining the key outcomes expected throughout the two-day programme. The first training session, Introduction to Cybersecurity and Types of Cyberattacks, was conducted by Associate Professor Dr. Mohd Wira Mohd Shafiei. Participants were introduced to the evolving cyber threat landscape and common forms of cyberattacks, enabling them to better recognise potential risks and take preventive action.
The programme continued with Digital Account Security and Personal Data Protection, conducted by Dr. Suzyrman Sibly, CGSS Lecturer. The session emphasised the importance of safeguarding digital identities, protecting personal information and strengthening account security against unauthorised access and misuse. Participants were subsequently introduced to Internet and Social Media Security and Cybersecurity Culture, delivered by Honorary Associate Professor Dr. Hj. Mohd Sayuti Hassan. The session highlighted responsible internet and social media practices while reinforcing the message that cybersecurity should not be viewed merely as technical knowledge, but as a culture and daily practice.
On the second day, participants progressed from fundamental concepts to practical situations through the Identifying Phishing Emails and Password Security modules, conducted by Mr. Fikry Azizan, Information Technology Officer, Cybersecurity Section, Digital Transformation Centre (PTD), USM. The session equipped participants with practical knowledge to identify suspicious emails, messages and links, while highlighting the importance of creating, managing and protecting strong passwords to minimise the risk of digital account compromise.
The learning experience was further strengthened through Social Engineering Simulation and Device Security, conducted by Dr. Mohd Sukri Shafie, Senior Principal Research Officer, CETREE, CGSS, USM. Through simulation-based learning, participants gained a closer understanding of how social engineering techniques can exploit human behaviour and psychological vulnerabilities to deceive individuals into disclosing personal or financial information or granting access to digital accounts.
The programme reached its practical climax with the Cybersecurity Incident Response Simulation and Cybersecurity Challenge, conducted by Ir. Ts. Dr. Lokman Mohd Fadzil, Lecturer, Cybersecurity Research Centre, USM. The interactive sessions tested participants’ ability to identify threats, assess risks and determine appropriate responses when faced with cybersecurity incidents. Through a learning-by-doing approach, participants were given the opportunity to apply their knowledge in scenarios resembling real-world digital challenges. This practical approach not only strengthened their understanding, but also helped build greater confidence in responding calmly, carefully and appropriately when confronted with potential scams or cyber threats.
During the closing session, Honorary Associate Professor Dr. Hj. Mohd Sayuti Hassan, as Programme Coordinator, emphasised that cybersecurity is a shared responsibility that begins with individual awareness, knowledge and action. He encouraged participants to bring the knowledge gained beyond the training room by applying it in their daily lives and sharing it with family members, friends and the wider community. Such knowledge-sharing efforts can help create a wider network of digital safety awareness and strengthen collective resilience against online scams and cyber threats. He also expressed hope that participants would become digital safety ambassadors within their respective communities, helping others recognise warning signs, verify information and take preventive action before becoming victims of digital fraud.
Overall, the programme strengthened senior citizens’ ability to use digital technology safely, confidently and responsibly, while enhancing their capacity to protect their personal information, financial accounts and digital identities. More importantly, the initiative reinforces the message that senior citizens are not merely users of digital technology, but an integral part of the digital community who must be empowered to recognise risks, make informed decisions and act safely in an increasingly connected world. The programme marks the first series of the initiative and will continue with the second series in early September 2026, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen digital literacy, cybersecurity awareness and community resilience. The programme concluded with a group photograph involving the participants and organising committee before the session ended.
SDGs: 4 & 17
Original Text : Syafiq Saifullah Azmi / Translation : Ashween Sonia Sani Murugesan
Photos by: Syafiq Saifullah Azmi