Jakarta, INTI - Deputy Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Nezar Patria warned the public that cyber threats in the era of artificial intelligence (AI) are now directly affecting people’s everyday lives.
The risks are no longer confined to large-scale systems but extend to personal bank accounts, digital identities, and daily-use devices.
“Attacks no longer always require a click. There are zero-click attacks. Simply receiving a message can already trigger malware,” Nezar said while opening the Cybersecurity Workshop at BPSDMP Komdigi Yogyakarta in Bantul, Special Region of Yogyakarta, on Saturday, January 31, 2026.
He explained that AI has transformed cyberattack patterns, making them significantly faster and more widespread.
Through automation, cybercriminals are able to scan millions of systems within seconds and select targets they consider valuable.
“Boston Consulting Group (BCG) data from December 2025 shows that attacks are evolving faster than defenses. This is why people often become victims without realizing it,” he added.
Nezar emphasized that cyber threats are not only technical in nature but also target the emotional vulnerabilities of the public.
The use of AI in fraud schemes enables highly convincing manipulation of a person’s face and voice.
Deputy Minister Nezar highlighted that both facial features and voices can now be convincingly replicated, making fraud schemes increasingly personal and harder to detect. Many victims fall prey because they believe the deception comes from someone they know.
“Today, our faces and voices can be imitated. Fraud has become highly personal. Many victims fall because they trust people they are familiar with,” Nezar said.
Passwords and Conventional Are No Longer Enough
He noted that conventional protection systems are becoming more fragile.
Advances in artificial intelligence and quantum computing research mean that passwords long relied upon by the public are no longer sufficiently secure.
“The passwords we create today may eventually become meaningless. The world is moving toward the post-quantum era,” he explained.
Nezar stressed that there is no truly safe space in the digital world as long as devices remain connected to other networks.
Threats can originate from smartphones, applications, and even simple everyday devices.
“As long as we are connected, there is no such thing as safety in the digital space,” he emphasized.
To safeguard the public, the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs (Kemkomdigi) is promoting the adoption of a security-by-design approach.
Security must be embedded from the earliest stages of system development, rather than added only after breaches or attacks occur.
“Cybersecurity is not just about technology. It is about habits, awareness, and leadership,” Nezar said.
Through strengthening digital talent and security architecture, Kemkomdigi reaffirmed the state’s role in protecting citizens in the digital space amid the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence.
Conclusion
Amid the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence, cybersecurity has become a fundamental pillar of public protection. The increasingly personal nature of cyber threats, the weakening of traditional defenses, and the absence of safe zones in a connected world underscore the urgency of systemic change.
Through strengthening digital talent and building robust security architectures, Kemkomdigi reaffirmed the role of the state in safeguarding citizens in the digital space, ensuring that technological progress is matched by resilience, awareness, and responsible leadership.
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