APU Becomes Malaysia’s First University To Offer Licensed Cybersecurity-as-a-Service
Their most notable work is the security assessment of a government portal.
Published 28 Nov 2025
Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) has become the first and only higher education institution in Malaysia licensed by the National Cyber Security Agency (NACSA) under the Cyber Security Act 2024 to provide Cybersecurity-as-a-Service (CaaS). This achievement marks a significant shift for the university, positioning it not just as a centre for academic learning but also as a fully recognised professional cybersecurity service provider.
With NACSA’s endorsement, APU’s Forensic & Security Research Centre (FSeC) is now an approved national provider of Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT) as well as Managed Security Operations Centre (SOC) Monitoring Services. While more than 320 organisations nationwide hold similar licences, APU stands out as the only representative from the academic sector, demonstrating that its capabilities meet the same standards as professional, industry-level cybersecurity bodies.
APU’s CaaS initiative is also aligned with the university’s commitment to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) goals. By delivering cybersecurity services that directly support Malaysian industries, APU is helping to strengthen national resilience while also developing future-ready talent. The work is driven by an experienced team led by Professor Ir EUR ING Ts Dr Vinesh Thiruchelvam, Assistant Professor Dr Julia Juremi, cybersecurity engineer Mr Reshiwaran Jegatheswaran and technical team lead Mr Zaid Ahmad. They are supported by top-performing students selected from over 1,500 cybersecurity undergraduates and postgraduates.
Assistant Professor Dr Julia Juremi highlighted the impact of this approach, saying, “Through FSeC–CaaS, APU demonstrates how academia can directly contribute to national cybersecurity capability. Our students gain invaluable hands-on experience, while SMEs gain access to licensed, world-class protection at an affordable cost.”
One of the main goals of FSeC-CaaS is to make enterprise-grade cybersecurity services accessible to small and medium enterprises (SMEs), most of which lack the resources to invest in such protection. The services offered include security audits, penetration testing and network configuration and hardening—critical tools that help businesses identify vulnerabilities and strengthen their defences.
APU has proven its capabilities through several real-world projects since the establishment of FSeC-CaaS in 2024. Among the most notable is the security assessment of the Malaysian government portal “Portal Pertukaran Suka Sama Suka (P3S)”, launched in August 2025. This engagement reflects APU’s capability in delivering trusted, compliant and high-impact cybersecurity solutions that meet national standards.
By combining hands-on industry service with academic expertise, APU is creating a unique bridge between education and professional practice. Its CaaS initiative not only enhances the cybersecurity posture of Malaysian businesses but also equips students with genuine, real-time experience, ultimately contributing to Malaysia’s broader cybersecurity resilience.
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Amelia Ho
Always wandering, always wondering.
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