Malaysia has been ranked the only Tier 1 country in ASEAN for post-quantum cryptography (PQC) migration readiness, putting it at the highest level assessed in a regional report on preparations for quantum computing threats.
The recognition was based on the ASEAN Post-Quantum Cryptography Readiness 2026: An Empirical Assessment of the ASEAN-10 report dated Sept 1, which assessed countries based on verifiable national-level actions and implementation rather than stated intentions or technological progress alone.
The National Security Council (MKN) said the ranking reflects Malaysia’s preparations to protect government data, financial transactions, digital identities, communications and critical services from future threats posed by quantum computing.
Malaysia was the only country placed in Tier 1, while Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam were placed in Tier 2. The Philippines was ranked Tier 3, while Laos and Myanmar were placed in Tiers 4 and 5 respectively.
The report was published by SITG-Consulting, an independent UK-based advisory firm specialising in cyber risk, cryptographic governance, organisational resilience and PQC readiness.
Malaysia’s preparations include the National PQC Migration Plan, a PQC proof-of-concept programme under its national migration plan and awareness programmes for entities under the National Critical Information Infrastructure (NCII).
MKN said the government would continue strengthening the National PQC Migration Plan to ensure critical national infrastructure remains secure and resilient as quantum technology develops.
The next phase will involve continued cooperation with NCII sector leads, NCII entities and industry players, including developing cryptographic asset inventories, conducting risk assessments, building capabilities, testing technologies and carrying out migration in stages.
