President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo conducted a press briefing on Wednesday, during which he disclosed that he is currently carefully evaluating the situation in response to the ransomware attack that occurred on June 20. The attack resulted in significant disruptions to various public services. As part of the evaluation, the possibility of removing Budi Arie Setiadi from his role as the Minister of Communications and Information Technology is being considered.
During the inauguration of an electric vehicle battery manufacturing plant in West Java, Jokowi emphasized that a comprehensive audit of the government’s data center management is currently underway. Additionally, the top priority at present is to ensure the backup of all databases belonging to government agencies.
“We’re still evaluating everything. Above all else, we need to find solutions so the cyberattack won’t happen again, and [to ensure] that all of our national data are backed up,” Jokowi stated, as quoted by Antara.
The President highlighted that Indonesia is not the only country grappling with the challenge of ransomware attacks. In response to the recent cyber incident, Jokowi swiftly ordered a thorough audit of the national data centers. This decision came after officials revealed that a large portion of the affected data had not been backed up.
The ransomware attack, which took place two weeks ago, inflicted significant disruption on public services, impacting over 200 central and regional institutions. This included the functioning of immigration services at major airports. The severity of the attack prompted public outcry, leading to widespread criticism of Budi Arie on social media. As a result, the digital advocacy group Southeast Asia Freedom of Expression Network (SAFEnet) initiated a petition calling for the minister’s resignation, citing his alleged failure to take responsibility for recurring cyber incidents.
In light of these developments, it is evident that the matter is of great concern to the Indonesian government. Jokowi’s comments indicate the gravity of the situation and the urgency with which a resolution is being sought.
In conclusion, the government’s response to the ransomware attack and the subsequent evaluation of Budi Arie’s handling of the situation reflect the significance of cybersecurity in today’s digital age. As the investigation unfolds, it will be crucial to closely monitor the measures taken to address the vulnerabilities that allowed the attack to occur. Ultimately, the protection of national data and the integrity of public services remain paramount considerations for the Indonesian government.
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