Tackling Rising Issues
“Everything is digital these days, our daily chores are slowly becoming digital too. From getting your lunch to ordering your next piece of clothing, everything can be done through your smartphone wherever you are.”
“The pandemic has spotlighted the need for businesses to adopt digital practices. With the restrictions in movement and physical contact, only those who adopt digital tools and new ways of working can meaningfully operate.”
Nonetheless, Idham acknowledges that adoption of digital initiatives could prove to be a challenge because businesses are reluctant to incur the cost of integrating digital applications into their operations.
However, Idham also believes that this can also prove to be an opportunity for the industry to come up with innovative and affordable options, convincing local businesses to digitise with little or no downside. One example is Celcom’s innovative one-stop SME digital kit, Celcom Business Suite™, that offers SMEs the flexibility and affordability to transform and optimise their business operations with simplicity. The suite comes with multiple digital solutions for SME businesses such as cloud-based e-POS, electronic payment, digital marketing solutions, Microsoft Office365 and additional productivity tools such as tablets.
“We need them (local businesses) to see that in the long- term, digitalisation will position them on a stronger footing, make their businesses more resilient and there won’t be any geographical barriers in their way,” he highlights.
Idham also points out that more digitalisation gives rise to the issue of security and privacy. “In this area, Celcom has always been working towards strengthening its core systems to ensure the protection of our customers’ data and privacy,” he says.
Celcom in collaboration with Axiata, currently houses a strong in-house cybersecurity team along with an offshore global center to oversee cybersecurity measures. The telco is also building a similar center within Celcom’s HQ building, “@celcom” in Petaling Jaya, to increase its capability in all security measures.
“We are working hand-in-hand with other players such as Huawei and Cybersecurity Malaysia. At this juncture, every device connected to Celcom can become vulnerable so it’s important we amplify our efforts to strengthen cybersecurity measures and cover a wider scope of issues and threats,” Idham says.In March this year, Cybersecurity Malaysia, Celcom and Huawei Technologies Malaysia signed a Memorandum Of Understanding (MoU) to establish a 5G Cyber Security Test Lab to manage, mitigate and reduce threats related to 5G security, an initiative that was previously announced by Saifuddin Abdullah, Malaysia’s Minister of Communications and Multimedia, during the Mobile World Congress 2021 in Shanghai, China.
“The collaboration signifies our commitment and vigilance to further develop and innovate in the area of cybersecurity, especially in preparation of the introduction of 5G technology,” Idham says.
The Digital Journey To Come
Commenting on Malaysia’s digital journey, Idham says the country has come a long way with over 90 percent of its society connected in one way or another. The high usage of data and Internet services in the country shows that Malaysians have access to some of the most affordable devices and packages.
“Today, internet connectivity is very affordable. Our monthly unlimited prepaid plans cost only RM35, and that costs no more than 3 cups of ‘Latte’ these days,” Idham shared during a light moment.
“Celcom’s vision to become the ‘Most Inspiring Digital Organisation’ is also perfectly aligned with Malaysia’s digital vision and we shouldn’t think of ourselves as just a mobile operator anymore. We have been tirelessly working to adopt new mindsets, evolve our culture, take on new digital skillsets and adopt new digital technologies to become an all-inclusive digital enabler.
“Ten years from now, I envision Celcom as a brand that does amazing things for our customers. We will move beyond the network infrastructure segment and into the application space where we can touch and improve the everyday lives of Malaysians,” he concludes.
To read Part 1, click here: https://www.businesstoday.com.my/2021/08/11/beyond-telecommunication-and-driving-the-nations-digital-agenda/
