Cybersecurity as a Catalyst for Growth

A recent Gartner survey revealed that 85% of CEOs now view cybersecurity as critical to business growth. This shift underscores a global recognition of cybersecurity’s role not just in risk management but as a strategic enabler. In Singapore and other Asian countries, this changing view of cybersecurity can help drive significant advancements in innovation. Let’s take a look at what the Gartner Survey reported, along with some additional reporting about recent cybersecurity investments in the region. 

The Shifting Cybersecurity Landscape

The survey found that 61% of the 456 CEOs and other senior business executives questioned expressed concerns about cybersecurity threats, driven mainly by AI’s expanding role in commercial activities and ongoing debates surrounding the sourcing and use of advanced technologies. 

Conducted between June and November 2024, the survey highlighted a significant paradigm shift in how business leaders perceive cybersecurity. Beyond the basic protection of systems, data, and people, many now view cybersecurity as a strategic enabler that can propel businesses forward in an increasingly digital global marketplace. 

The Asian Perspective: Singapore and Malaysia at the Forefront

For businesses operating in Asia, particularly in technology hubs like Singapore and Malaysia, the shift in perspective is an opportunity. As a global financial centre and technological innovation hub, Singapore faces sophisticated cyber threats that could undermine its position as a trusted business destination. However, developing ways to counteract these threats can lead to high-value cybersecurity solutions that will be useful and marketable in other global finance and technology centres. Similarly, Malaysia’s rapid digital transformation across various sectors has expanded its cyber-attack surface, making it a target for attackers and a location where cybersecurity vendors and experts can make a real difference. 

Singapore and Malaysia have seen significant recent investments and success stories via local and global players in the cybersecurity and cloud sectors.  

The Malay Mail reports on three Singapore-based security companies that made a mark via the first-ever Singapore national pavilion at the recent RSA Conference 2025 in San Francisco. The solutions that generated buzz included a firewall designed to protect against threats specific to generative AI applications, an AI-driven platform that integrates Cyber Governance, Risk Management, and Compliance (GRC) with Continuous Controls Monitoring (CCM) that earned recognition in Gartner’s Hype Cycle for Cyber Risk Management 2024, and a lightweight tool providing quantum-resistant encryption to safeguard sensitive documents against future quantum computing threats. These companies were supported by Singapore’s CyberSG Talent, Innovation, and Growth Collaboration Centre, emphasising Singapore’s commitment to cybersecurity advancement. 

Malaysia has seen a couple of significant investment announcements. Microsoft will invest $2.2 billion over four years in new cloud and artificial intelligence infrastructure and partner with the government to establish a national AI centre. Google is also investing in the country via a $2 billion investment to develop Malaysia’s first data centre and Google Cloud hub, supporting the nation’s “Cloud First Policy” and cybersecurity standards. These investments will help fuel the growth of local infrastructure and cybersecurity businesses in Malaysia and nearby countries. 

From Protection to Strategic Enabler

As David Furlonger, Distinguished Vice President Analyst and Gartner Fellow, says when discussing the Gartner survey, “Cybersecurity is no longer just about protection; it’s a critical driver for business growth”.  

This sentiment resonates strongly across Southeast Asian boardrooms, in my experience, where executives are increasingly recognising that robust cybersecurity capabilities can unlock new market opportunities and build customer trust. 

For businesses in Singapore and Malaysia, this represents a significant shift in how security investments should be positioned and evaluated. Rather than viewing cybersecurity spending as purely defensive, forward-thinking leadership teams are now measuring its contribution to revenue generation, market expansion, and competitive advantage. 

Regulatory Changes and Growth Opportunities 

The survey also reveals that CEOs see a direct connection between cybersecurity capabilities and enterprise growth. This is particularly relevant in Southeast Asia, where regulatory frameworks like Singapore’s Cybersecurity Act and Malaysia’s Personal Data Protection Act provide compliance challenges and opportunities for businesses to differentiate themselves through superior security practices. Organisations that can effectively operate in these regulatory environments while maintaining robust security postures are well-positioned to capture greater market share and customer confidence. 

Final Thoughts 

Business and security leaders in Asia have an unprecedented opportunity to influence strategic business decisions, both locally and increasingly on a global scale. Beyond technical expertise, businesses must become adept at communicating how security investments enable broader business objectives, such as protecting intellectual property and fostering innovation when expanding into new markets. 

As cybersecurity becomes increasingly central to business growth strategies, organisations across Singapore, Malaysia, and the broader Asian region need expert guidance to align their security investments with strategic objectives.  

 The Halodata team, along with our vendor and partner networks, are ideally placed to provide this guidance. With deep expertise in the region’s regulatory and threat landscapes, Halodata’s consultants can help you transform cybersecurity from a cost centre to a competitive advantage. Contact Halodata today to discuss how your organisation can leverage cybersecurity as a growth driver.