Image Credits: East Asia Forum
President Joko Widodo has called on Bank Indonesia (BI) and the Financial Services Authority (OJK) to bolster their data security measures, emphasizing the need for comprehensive data backups to ensure public trust in financial transactions.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Indonesia Digital Financial Economy Festival and the Indonesian Creative Works (FEKDI x KKI) at the Jakarta Convention Center on Thursday, Jokowi highlighted the critical importance of safeguarding financial data amid rapid technological advancements.
“Let us not be unprepared, such as failing to implement layered data backups,” Jokowi urged. “I call upon BI and OJK to ensure that users—our citizens—feel secure when conducting transactions.”
The President’s remarks follow a recent cyberattack on the Temporary National Data Center (PDNS), which Jokowi hopes will serve as a wake-up call for all stakeholders to enhance their data security protocols.
Widodo also emphasized the need for increased protection in the digital economy, particularly given the presence of 64 million micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across Indonesia. He pointed out that low financial literacy levels make the public vulnerable to digital fraud and other cybercrimes.
“Therefore, it is imperative to prepare a robust consumer protection system and ensure data security,” Jokowi stressed.
The government’s commitment to advancing the digital economy aligns with the 2030 National Strategy for Digital Economy Development, which focuses on strengthening infrastructure, developing human resources, improving the business climate, enhancing cybersecurity, and promoting innovation. This strategy also underscores the importance of credible policies and regulations to support growth.
By advancing digitalization efforts and improving financial literacy and education, Indonesia aims to accelerate its digital economic development and move closer to becoming a leading advanced economy.