Jakarta, INTI - Badan Siber dan Sandi Negara (BSSN) Chief Nugroho Sulistyo Budi delivered a public lecture to participants of the 78th cohort of the Diplomatic Leadership Training Program (Sesparlu) at the Training and Education Center of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jakarta on Wednesday, April 15, 2026.
In his presentation titled “AI and Cyber Security Governance in Modern Conflicts: The Role of Diplomacy,” the BSSN Chief emphasized that diplomats are high-value targets in cyberspace due to their critical role in managing intergovernmental communication, intelligence data, and strategic policy. By 2026, diplomatic activities have consistently become a primary target of espionage operations conducted by both state and non-state actors.
These threats are becoming increasingly complex as malicious actors infiltrate diplomats’ digital activities, which heavily rely on internet connectivity. Moreover, threat actors are now leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance their tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs), making cyberattacks more personalized, harder to detect, and capable of exploiting vulnerabilities on a larger scale amid rising global geopolitical tensions.
Strengthening Cyber Defense Through People, Process, and Technology
Current risks include the leakage of classified state information, unauthorized access to high-level systems, identity theft, and cognitive manipulation through digital media. To address these challenges, a comprehensive approach integrating the pillars of People, Process, and Technology is required.
From the technology perspective, digital access must be strengthened through the implementation of Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) and the use of secure encrypted devices and networks. This should be supported by strict processes, including robust information security governance and standardized incident response protocols. Finally, under the People pillar, enhancing digital literacy and situational awareness among personnel is essential to counter increasingly sophisticated social engineering attacks and AI-driven threats.
Conclusion
The increasing sophistication of cyber threats in the AI era highlights the urgent need for stronger cybersecurity governance, especially in the field of diplomacy. As highlighted by Nugroho Sulistyo Budi from Badan Siber dan Sandi Negara, protecting diplomats requires a comprehensive strategy that integrates technology, governance processes, and human awareness. Strengthening these three pillars is essential to safeguarding national interests in an increasingly complex digital and geopolitical landscape.
Read more: The European Union Wants Google to Share Search Data with Competitors