IP26074

Author: Muhammad Faizal Bin Abdul Rahman

Published: 30 June 2026

ASEAN’s cyberspace has become increasingly important for regional security, not only because of evolving transnational cyber threats but also because of the enhanced connectivity among ASEAN member states that the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) would foster. ASEAN officials concluded DEFA negotiations in May 2026, and the agreement is scheduled to be signed at the 49th ASEAN Summit in November 2026.

DEFA aims to strengthen economic development through integration, thereby serving as ASEAN’s anchor for regional peace and stability in the digital era. DEFA also represents ASEAN’s efforts to uphold multilateralism in a fragmented world, where geopolitical interests may view cyberspace more as a domain of conflict than of cooperation. However, cyber threats, which could become contagious as ASEAN members become more digitally connected, would not only pose obstacles to DEFA’s goals but also undermine trust in the digital economy and in regional cooperation.

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