Jakarta, INTI – In an exclusive interview conducted by the INTI Media team on April 21, 2025, Fanky Christian, General Secretary of the Indonesian ICT Business Association (APTIKNAS), shared his insights into the future of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) industry and cybersecurity in Indonesia. During this insightful exchange, Mr. Fanky discussed the opportunities, challenges, and the significant role APTIKNAS plays in driving growth in this strategic sector.
Building IT Independence for the Future
According to Mr. Fanky, the next five to ten years will be crucial for strengthening Indonesia’s foundation in technological independence. While Indonesia currently lacks strong local IT manufacturing capabilities, there is enormous potential in the software development and IT service sectors.
“When it comes to opportunities, Indonesia has a real strength in software and IT services. In hardware, the potential exists, but it’s not as significant,” Fanky explained.
Government spending and domestic consumption—making up around 60% of the market—have helped boost the ICT sector, especially through the implementation of the Domestic Component Level (TKDN) regulation. However, Fanky emphasized the need to adapt existing regulations to support long-term independence, particularly in reducing reliance on foreign technologies.
Data Sovereignty and the Human Resource Challenge
Data sovereignty is another major focus area. Fanky highlighted the need to differentiate between “data sovereignty” and “data localization,” noting that where data is stored plays a critical role in who controls and protects it.
“If Indonesia wants to be strong, we must have sovereignty over our own data. That should be a top priority,” he stated.
A major hurdle is the availability of skilled human resources. While the cybersecurity industry is growing rapidly—with a projected market value of USD 2.71 billion this year and an annual growth rate of 9.63% to 19.6%—the talent pool may not be keeping pace.
“The industry is booming, but do we have the skilled professionals? That’s the real question,” Fanky noted.
Raising Awareness in the SME Sector
APTIKNAS also pointed out the gap in cybersecurity awareness among small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Many SME players do not see the need for cybersecurity, despite using digital tools in their daily operations.
“They often think, ‘Why would we need cybersecurity?’ But in reality, they’re already using digital platforms. This is where awareness needs to improve,” he added.
Attracting Foreign Investment: Beyond Just Sales
APTIKNAS has a clear strategy for handling foreign investment in Indonesia’s ICT sector. According to Fanky, collaboration must go beyond sales transactions and involve empowering local partners.
“When foreign investors come in, they shouldn’t just sell. There must be knowledge transfer and support for local partners so we can grow together,” he emphasized.
APTIKNAS encourages foreign vendors to work with local members—over 2,000 across the country—so that these partners are not only resellers but also have the technical capacity to support and understand the products thoroughly. This approach ensures that local industries can grow sustainably while providing reliable local support to end users.
Conclusion
This conversation with Fanky Christian underscores the vast potential and key challenges facing Indonesia’s ICT and cybersecurity sectors. By focusing on technological self-reliance, data sovereignty, skilled human capital, and collaborative foreign partnerships, Indonesia is well-positioned to become a major player in the global digital arena. APTIKNAS stands at the forefront, driving meaningful collaboration and innovation to make this vision a reality.
Watch More : Fanky Christian - #3 Strengthening INDONESIA’S Cybersecurity Through Digital Talent Development