Jakarta, INTI – Amid the rapid adoption of the Internet of Things (IoT) and digital technologies across various public services, Indonesia is instead facing serious challenges in the form of weak cybersecurity systems and an underprepared national digital ecosystem. This situation has increased the risk of data breaches and cyberattacks, including those targeting government infrastructure. In response to these challenges, PT Indonesia China Mobile, through the Doorstop Tech Connect INTI forum held in Jakarta on Wednesday, 17 December 2025, presented a strategic discussion aimed at examining issues related to security, infrastructure, and human resources. The forum served as a platform for dialogue between industry players and stakeholders to seek concrete solutions for strengthening a secure and sustainable national IoT ecosystem.
Indonesia Considered Vulnerable to Cyber Threats
Assistant Sales Manager of PT Indonesia China Mobile, David Sugandi, revealed that based on various available data and reports, Indonesia’s cybersecurity condition remains relatively vulnerable. Even government-owned digital infrastructure is considered fairly easy to target for hacking and cyberattacks.
According to David, the frequent media reports on cyber incidents indicate that digital security is no longer a latent threat, but a recurring and real problem. This serves as a clear signal that Indonesia’s national cybersecurity protection system still requires serious strengthening.
Security Issues Are Not Only About Technology
David emphasized that cyber incidents are not solely caused by technological weaknesses. Digital literacy and users’ awareness of cybersecurity also play a significant role in the high number of data breach cases.
He cited examples of many organizations that already have strong IT teams, adequate security systems, and complete equipment, yet still become confused when an incident occurs. This situation shows that readiness to handle cyberattacks is not yet comprehensive, particularly in terms of procedures and human resource understanding.
Infrastructure and Human Resource Challenges in IoT Development
During the discussion on IoT development in Indonesia, David stated that the biggest challenge lies in the readiness of digital infrastructure. Network capacity is considered not yet fully capable of accommodating the surge in data traffic generated by IoT devices.
In addition, the limited availability of human resources with specialized skills to manage and further develop IoT systems remains a major obstacle. According to him, many aspects still need improvement to ensure that IoT implementation can operate optimally and securely.
A Comprehensive Digital Ecosystem Is Essential
Responding to questions regarding the readiness of the national security system, David assessed that Indonesia needs to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of its digital ecosystem. He stressed that skills, technology, and infrastructure cannot function independently.
All three components must be developed in an integrated manner to create a resilient IoT and cybersecurity system. Without a holistic approach, efforts to strengthen digital security will be difficult to achieve effectively.
Regulations Lag Behind Technological Developments
From an industry perspective, David also highlighted the slow pace of regulations in keeping up with rapid technological advancements. He pointed to the emergence of new technologies such as generative artificial intelligence, which are evolving quickly, while supporting policies are not yet fully in place.
He expressed hope that the government will become more proactive in closely observing technological and industry trends, so that regulations are not merely reactive but are able to anticipate future developments through close collaboration with industry and technology providers.
Conclusion
The Doorstop Tech Connect INTI forum reaffirmed that the challenges of IoT development and cybersecurity in Indonesia are not limited to technology alone, but also involve the readiness of human resources, infrastructure, and adaptive regulations. Without comprehensive ecosystem strengthening and cross-sector collaboration, digital security risks will continue to overshadow Indonesia’s national digital transformation.
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