News & Reviews:   Security

Last night, the National Registration Department confirmed that Malaysia’s upcoming new-generation MyKad will come equipped with 53 security features, a significant increase from the 23 security elements found in the current version. The upgraded MyKad is expected to be introduced as early as next month.

Malaysia is set to introduce a major upgrade to its digital and border management infrastructure, with the rollout of the MyNIISe scheduled for June. The move will take place alongside enhancements to the security features of MyKad, signalling a broader push toward strengthening national identity and immigration systems.

YTL AI Labs has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with MyDigital ID to integrate the national digital identity platform into its AI chatbot, ILMUchat. The announcement was made during the “MyDigital ID: Powering Trusted Digital Access Across Malaysia’s Digital Ecosystem” forum, marking a step forward in simplifying secure access to digital services.

Smartphones have pretty much taken over almost everything. It has become our wallets, cameras, and personal data hubs, an all-in-one device. But this also makes them prime targets for cyber threats, which we have seen the rise of scams and spam over the years, especially since the pandemic.

Not all is bleak, though. At the same time, modern devices are more secure than ever thanks to significant improvements in operating systems and hardware-level protections. It makes sense for personal computers to have an anti-virus program to help guard against malicious attacks, but what about smartphones? Do you actually need an anti-virus app on your phone?

Last night, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) issued an urgent advisory for Apple users in Malaysia, calling on them to update their iOS devices immediately following the discovery of multiple security vulnerabilities. The warning highlights growing cybersecurity concerns, particularly as mobile devices continue to store sensitive personal and financial data.

In a continuous effort to battle online scams, Maxis has rolled out an integrated artificial intelligence-powered network firewall, designed to combat digital fraud across both voice and SMS traffic. The system has been operational since January 2026 and forms part of the company’s broader multi-layered security framework aimed at delivering safer connectivity for customers.

As the Malaysian government targets 15 million new MyDigital ID registrations during 2026, it seems that bank users will be part of it. According to this news source, 18 banking institutions in Malaysia have confirmed their participation in Phase 2 of the MyDigital ID sandbox. This phase focuses on testing e-verification technology designed to securely confirm a user’s identity when opening new accounts or conducting real-time banking operations.

We have talked about this new feature before. In mid-2026, the Malaysian government confirmed it would introduce redesigned passports and identity cards with enhanced security features. Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the new Malaysian passport and MyKad will be rolled out by the second or early third quarter of the year to improve their integrity and reliability.

In case you missed the news, the Malaysian government has confirmed a gradual transition to the upgraded MyKad with enhanced security and digital verification features. According to the National Registration Department (NRD), ordinary Malaysians do not need to rush to replace their current MyKad. The change will only become mandatory when the full ecosystem is ready.

With the rollout of One UI 6.1, Samsung Malaysia is encouraging Galaxy users to take full advantage of the latest anti-theft features. This announcement follows a noticeable rise in phone theft incidents, especially in urban areas.