August is a momentous month for countries in Southeast Asia, as it marks the celebration of independence for nations like Singapore (on the 9th), Indonesia (on the 17th), and Malaysia (on the 31st). While we commemorate our historical freedom, it is also crucial to reflect on our modern-day independence in the digital realm.

Cybersecurity is a pressing issue that demands attention and action to protect our online sovereignty. This article explores the significance of being independent of cyberattacks and the measures required to achieve a cyber-resilient, Southeast Asia.

Navigating the cybersecurity landscape and challenges

Southeast Asia’s remarkable digital advancement has brought unprecedented opportunities for growth and innovation. However, this progress is accompanied by the escalating spectre of cyberattacks.

The region’s diverse economic landscape, featuring both highly developed countries and emerging economies, has given rise to a varied technological ecosystem. While these advancements offer numerous benefits, they also expose the region to an intricate web of cyber risks.

• Evolving threat landscape: Cyber threats in Southeast Asia range from individual-driven attacks like phishing and identity theft to large-scale, state-sponsored attacks. The interconnectedness of economies and societies further amplifies the ripple effects of these threats.
• Data privacy concerns: With the rapid digitisation of services, individuals and businesses are generating unprecedented amounts of data. Ensuring data privacy and preventing unauthorised access are significant challenges.
• Critical infrastructure vulnerabilities: As nations digitise critical infrastructure such as power grids, transportation systems, and healthcare networks, the potential impact of cyberattacks on public safety and national security becomes a critical concern.
• Economic implications: Cyberattacks can cripple businesses, disrupt supply chains, and erode consumer trust. The economic implications of successful cyberattacks are substantial, affecting both individual livelihoods and national economies.
• Varied technological maturity: The technological maturity of Southeast Asian countries varies widely. While countries like Singapore boast advanced cybersecurity frameworks, others may struggle due to limited resources or a lack of awareness.
• Cross-border challenges: Cybercriminals often exploit the porous borders of cyberspace. Transnational cybercrime makes attribution and collaboration between countries challenging.

The rapid convergence of technology and evolving cyber threats underscore the importance of comprehending the cybersecurity landscape. By acknowledging the digital diversity within Southeast Asia and the dynamic threat landscape, we can lay the foundation for well-informed strategies and collaborative initiatives aimed at achieving cybersecurity independence.

Southeast Asia faces unique challenges when it comes to cybersecurity. The diversity of technological advancement across the region leads to discrepancies in cyber readiness. While Singapore boasts sophisticated cybersecurity infrastructure, other countries might struggle with limited resources and cybersecurity awareness. Additionally, the evolving sophistication of cybercriminals makes it challenging to keep up with their tactics.

Initiatives and collaborations for cyber resilience 

Recognising the gravity of the situation, countries in Southeast Asia have been taking proactive measures to fortify their cybersecurity defences. National cybersecurity strategies have been implemented, emphasising collaboration between governments, private sectors, and civil society.

Additionally, regional alliances and partnerships have been established to share threat intelligence and promote cooperation in combating cyber threats.

One notable example of regional cooperation is the ASEAN Cyber Capacity Programme, which aims to build cybersecurity capacity and foster knowledge sharing among ASEAN member states. By pooling resources and expertise, countries in the region can collectively bolster their cyber defences and enhance their resilience against cyberattacks.

Best practices for cybersecurity independence 

While governments and organisations play a crucial role in cybersecurity, individual users must also take responsibility for their online safety. Implementing best practices can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to cyber threats. Here are some essential best practices:

• Strong passwords and authentication: Use unique and complex passwords for each online account. Implement two-factor authentication (2FA) to add an extra layer of security.
• Safe browsing habits: Be cautious of unsolicited emails, links, and attachments. Avoid clicking on suspicious URLs and verify the authenticity of websites before sharing personal information.
• Regular software updates: Keep operating systems, software, and applications up-to-date. Updates often include patches that address known vulnerabilities.
• Data encryption: Encrypt sensitive data, especially when transmitting it over the internet. Encryption ensures that even if data is intercepted, it remains unreadable without the decryption key.
• Employee training: Businesses should invest in cybersecurity training for employees to raise awareness about potential threats, such as phishing attacks or social engineering.
• Incident response planning: Develop a comprehensive incident response plan to mitigate the impact of cyber incidents. A well-prepared response can significantly reduce downtime and damage.
• Public awareness campaigns: Governments should conduct public awareness campaigns to educate citizens about cybersecurity risks and promote responsible online behaviour.
• Collaborative information sharing: Establish platforms for sharing threat intelligence among governments, businesses, and organisations. Timely information exchange can help prevent widespread attacks.

By implementing these best practices, Southeast Asia can bolster its defences against cyber threats, fostering an environment of cybersecurity independence and resilience.

The future of cybersecurity in Southeast Asia 

The fight against cyber threats is an ongoing battle, and the future of cybersecurity in Southeast Asia hinges on continuous adaptation and innovation. The emergence of technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) holds promise in augmenting cybersecurity defences. AI-powered tools can help detect and respond to cyber incidents more efficiently, providing a significant advantage against cyber criminals.

Furthermore, fostering a cybersecurity workforce equipped with the latest skills and knowledge will be paramount in securing the region’s digital sovereignty. Governments and private enterprises should invest in training programs and create opportunities for professionals to specialise in cybersecurity.

Final thoughts

As we celebrate independence month in Southeast Asia, let us not overlook our digital sovereignty and the imperative need for independence from cyberattacks. By acknowledging the cybersecurity landscape and challenges and implementing effective strategies and best practices, we can collectively achieve a cyber-resilient region.

Let this be a momentous time when we unite to protect our digital freedoms and pave the way for a safer and more secure online world in Southeast Asia. Together, we can secure our independence not only in the physical realm but also in the digital domain.

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Amidst the AI revolution, e27 presents a new series showcasing how organisations embrace AI in their operations.

Asnawi Jufrie is the Southeast Asia General Manager of SleekFlow, an omnichannel social commerce platform facilitating conversations across SMS, website live chat, and top social messaging apps.

From early on, Jufrie was interested in contributing positively to his surroundings, emphasising the importance of individual empowerment. With a background in sales and business development, he previously served as the ASEAN Team Lead for Business Development at Salesforce.

In this edition, Jufrie shares how SleekFlow has embraced Artificial Intelligence.

Edited excerpts:

How do you perceive the AI revolution and its potential impact on your industry and workforce?

The emergence of Generative AI, with the breakthroughs made by programs such as ChatGPT, has caused a surge of interest in chat-based AI applications. This has significantly impacted the conversational commerce industry, where this technology has become a game-changer for omnichannel sales platforms like SleekFlow.

I’ve noticed that most people tend to relate AI to chat nowadays. It’s like having Michael Jordan helping with your free throws in basketball – AI can enhance communication skills, maximise your knowledge base, and develop context-aware AI-powered chatbots. 

At SleekFlow, we’ve embraced the technology to drive business growth, leveraging its ability to enhance communication skills, expand the knowledge base, and develop remarkable context-aware AI-powered chatbots. 

Last quarter, we launched SleekFlow AI for customer support, powered by GPT-4 technology. Our AI-powered chatbots, for instance, can engage in natural, human-like conversations with customers, leading to a much smoother customer experience. 

This means maximising touchpoints with consumers by allowing businesses to upload their help documents or website to our upcoming portal to build an extensive knowledge base so that the AI can recommend accurate responses to customer inquiries through WhatsApp. 

This frees up time for customer support staff to focus on more complex enquiries that require the human touch. Its summary generator also condenses long chat threads into bite-sized notes, making interactions more productive and helping businesses achieve consistency in consumer brand experience.

In what ways has your company embraced AI technologies to improve operational efficiency or enhance business processes?

At SleekFlow, we recognise AI’s value in improving business operations and customer experience. As such, we have strategically integrated various AI tools into our workflows to help us achieve these goals.

One such built-in tool is Apollo.io, a sales engagement platform that leverages AI to help sales teams prioritise leads and personalise communication. With Apollo, our sales team can automate certain tasks, such as email sequences and follow-up reminders, freeing up time to focus on higher-level tasks, such as building customer relationships.

Another built-in tool we use is Notion.so, a productivity app that incorporates AI features such as natural language processing and machine learning. Notion helps to organise and track internal communication, making it easier for us to collaborate and share information across teams.

We also utilise standalone AI platforms like ChatGPT to enhance customer support operations. Our marketing team, for instance, has been leveraging ChatGPT to brainstorm content ideas, generate SEO blog outlines, and adapt original content for cross-channel distribution. 

This frees up time for our writers and marketers to focus on the more creative aspects of their work, such as product marketing and content strategy.

Adopting AI-powered tools not only leads to boosts in productivity but also improves our ROI for those apps we’ve already invested in. It’s a no-brainer!

Can you share specific examples of how AI has been integrated into your workforce to streamline operations or drive innovation?

Let’s take SleekFlow AI as our example.

Regarding customer service, SleekFlow AI can answer support-related inquiries in a manner that is indistinguishable from our human agents. This allows us to deflect more straightforward cases and free up time for our agents to focus on more complex issues. 

In sales, it provides a personal coach that scans the entire history of a chat conversation with a customer and provides suggestions on the best item to promote and recommended replies. This not only streamlines the sales process but also ensures a personalised, high-quality customer experience.

Similarly, in marketing, SleekFlow AI can help generate impactful marketing copy in minutes, leveraging its understanding of our company’s branding, products and services, and the goals of the copy. 

As for our customers, SleekFlow AI is a useful tool in highly specific industries, such as insurance. The chatbot can recommend personalised health insurance plans based on your customers’ budgets and needs by analysing previous conversations and support materials. This means no more navigating through multiple filters on your virtual help desk. It’s like having a personal assistant for every customer. 

What challenges or concerns did you encounter when implementing AI technologies within your organisation, and how did you address them?

To be honest, as a high-growth tech startup, we haven’t encountered many pushbacks from our team when implementing AI technology. We fully embrace it.

As a company, we strongly believe in the rise and ubiquity of AI in our everyday personal and professional lives. We recognise that to stay relevant, we must embrace this technological revolution. It feels like the dot-com era; we want to be at the forefront of this exciting time.

Of course, we understand that some people may be concerned about AI’s impact on human jobs and privacy. But AI can enhance our everyday tasks and remove possible human errors, for example, grammar. 

Again, it’s like having Michael Jordan doing the free throws for you in a basketball game – who wouldn’t want that?

That being said, we take these concerns seriously and strive to ensure that our AI technologies are implemented ethically and responsibly. We also recognise the importance of human interaction in certain areas, such as building trust and resolving complex issues.

So while we are embracing AI, we also understand the value of the human touch and are refining how we meld the two.

How do you ensure transparency and uphold ethical considerations in using AI technologies within your organisation to mitigate privacy concerns?

As a data processor and controller of our customer’s data, we take data and privacy concerns extremely seriously. To this end, we have invested significant time and effort in obtaining the required certifications, including the recent ISO/IEC 27001 certification.

This certification is widely recognised as the “gold standard” of third-party validation for security posture. This means that our platform has established a robust infrastructure to manage risks to customer data.

Regarding using AI technologies for customer support, we believe in striking a good balance between security and responsiveness. While automated support has its advantages, it is not always foolproof. There is still a chance of the AI producing inaccurate answers, especially if users try to work around the constraints we have designed.

The model and computing power required to run these systems can also be expensive. Therefore, we believe that a hybrid model that combines automated and human support would be the most effective solution.

To ensure transparency and take into account ethical considerations, we take extra precautions when using external AI platforms to ensure that zero client data and information are uploaded. Within our platform, SleekFlow AI is governed by our robust closed-loop architecture, which is regularly tested by external independent agencies and has passed the required data and security requirements.

By offering a range of AI models and prioritising accuracy and security, businesses working with SleekFlow can get the best possible AI-powered support while maintaining full transparency and meeting the highest ethical standards.

How do you ensure that AI technologies complement your workforce’s existing skills and expertise rather than replacing or displacing human workers?

I believe that while AI has its advantages, it can never fully replace humans. As Jack Ma said, “You can always make a machine to learn the knowledge. But it is difficult for machines to have a human heart.” We understand that it is the collective wisdom and experiences of people that bring a business idea to life.

In the case of entrepreneurship, if businesses could be built from theories and machines alone, every business would have already succeeded. The founders, business owners, and teammates, who are made up of people, share collective wisdom and experiences to bring life to a business idea. That’s why I think AI is not here to replace humans; it’s here to enhance them.

We take a human-centric approach to AI development to ensure that AI technologies complement our workforce’s existing skills and expertise. We should involve our workforce in the AI development process and provide training and upskilling opportunities.

We should also focus on developing AI solutions that automate repetitive tasks, allowing our workforce to focus on more strategic and creative tasks that require human skills and expertise.

How do you envision the future collaboration between humans and AI? What role do you see AI playing in augmenting human capabilities?

A hybrid model that combines the strengths of AI-powered chatbots and human workers is ideal.

We built SleekFlow AI to foster AI-human collaboration as the way forward, with AI augmenting human capabilities to provide objective and wise consultation while also being able to stand in for humans on certain occasions.

Just like Alfred can never replace Bruce Wayne as Batman, AI can never replace humans, but it can support us in our day-to-day activities and tasks – and vice versa.

What advice would you give to founders looking to leverage AI in their workforce?

Embrace it! As a founder, you are built to innovate, dream of what’s possible, and be the front-runner for change. Leveraging AI is the surest way of staying relevant and being part of the inevitable domino effect: the AI revolution.

It could transform whole industries, not just conversational commerce and society. As a founder, it’s crucial to stay ahead of the curve and explore how AI can be used to augment human capabilities. 

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Singapore-based waste management company Blue Planet has secured an undisclosed sum in funding from Malaysian PE firm Bintang Capital Partners.

The startup will utilise the capital to expand its operational teams and waste management technologies to pave the way for handling a broader range of waste types in current and emerging markets.

Founded in 2017 by Madhujeet Chimni, Prashant Singh, and Bharadwaj Chivukula, Blue Planet provides waste collection, transportation, segregation, processing, and treatment services. It has a presence in India, Malaysia, Singapore, and the UK.

Also Read: (Exclusive) Myanmar’s waste-management startup RecyGlo raising US$900K to expand into Indonesia, Singapore

Blue Planet reportedly manages 15,200 metric tonnes of waste daily, produces 10,000 normal cubic metres of biogas (as clean energy) each day from organic materials, and has recovered more than 800 acres of land (legacy landfills) for the public. It claims to have processed 3.3 million metric tonnes of waste, reducing two million metric tonnes of CO2 emissions last year.

Prior to the latest round, Blue Planet secured investments from the Neev Fund, OSK Ventures International, and Japan’s Mizuho Asia Partners. It has also acquired Disaster Restoration Singapore, Xeon Waste Managers in India, and Qube Renewable in the UK.

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Dear Pro member,

Amid a global market slowdown, Indonesian firms Modalku and Bukalapak have followed Qoala and Ayoconnect in reducing their workforce within a short two-week span.

This trend is largely attributed to the ongoing repercussions of the global financial crisis. The job cuts underscore the prevailing challenges faced by Indonesian businesses, prompting a series of staff reductions as a means of coping with financial strain and pursuing profitability.

The prevalent strategy of downsizing is seen as a pragmatic approach to curtail costs and adapt to the altered economic landscape. With numerous firms having already implemented layoffs in recent months, this trend is expected to persist in the near future as businesses strive to navigate the challenging environment and attain financial stability.

Will the advent of Generative AI tools make things worse in the jobs market? Let’s wait and see.

Singapore-based Endowus has secured US$35 million, and many exciting developments have been included in today’s Ecosystem Roundup.

Happy reading.

Sainul,
Editor.

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Funding Societies’s Modalku cuts 18% of its workforce
It laid off 38 employees in Indonesia mainly due to the current macroeconomic environment; Funding Societies said that since being established in 2015, it has served nearly 100K businesses across its markets.

Bukalapak conducts a new round of layoffs
The affected staff include those from customer service, its Mitra business, and the product and engineering team; In Q2 2023, Bulakapak generated US$40.7M net profit, a turnaround from a net loss of US$394.8M in Q2 2022.

SoftBank’s Vision Funds recover with US$426M income in Q1
It posted a US$16.3B loss in the same quarter a year ago; The recovery is primarily driven by a US$917.1M gain on investments at Vision Fund 1, reversing from the US$9.2B in loss on investments it experienced in Q1 2022.

SG wealthtech firm Endowus raises US$35M round
The investors include Citi Ventures and MUFG Innovation; The company’s losses for 2022 jumped to US$20M despite more than doubling its revenue to US$6.1M compared to the previous year.

Alibaba posts solid 70% income growth in latest quarter
The revenue grew 14% in the latest quarter compared to the same period last year; The firm attributed the growth to its recent restructuring, which has started to “unleash new energy across our business”.

Philippine venture builder AHG Lab raises US$4M in pre-Series A
The investors include the Rufino family, David Leechiu, and Seaborne Capital; The capital will help expand AHG’s support in founder-focused programmes like Founders Launchpad.

Genexyz, which provides virtual avatars for content creators, raises US$1M
The investors include East Ventures, Emtek, and MDI Ventures; Genexyz aims to overcome the scalability and unpredictability of the physical limitations of influencers by creating meta-human IPs.

Goro raises US$1M to democratise Indonesian property investment
The investors include Iterative, XA Network, and StashAway’s Angel Investing Program; Goro enables individuals to buy high-yielding Indonesian properties with no minimum purchase.

Singaporean Web3 entertainment company DEA raises funding
The investor is Global Brain’s KDDI Open Innovation Fund III; DEA is the company behind the PlayMining GameFi platform.

IDN Media said to have acquired creator payment platform Saweria
Saweria enables creators or live streamers to receive payments from fans through various Indonesian e-wallets; Saweria had around 500-700 daily active live streamers in 2020.

Carro hits US$11M in Q1 EBITDA, its highest-ever quarterly profits
Its EBITDA is now at an annualised run-rate of over US$50M, which is more than 10x what it achieved for the entire FY2023; The used-car marketplace also achieved over US$4M in EBITDA for June 2023.

Bintang Capital backs SG waste management firm Blue Planet
Blue Planet offers various solutions throughout the waste management value chain, including waste collection, transportation, segregation, processing, and treatment.

Gaming growth in APAC sluggish amid clampdown in China: report
Data from a recently released Newzoo report found that Asia Pacific only logged a 1.2% y-o-y bump in revenue to date; This is below the global market’s 2.6% increase within the same period.

Mixi launches US$50M fund for India-based entertainment startups
Outside the CVC fund, Mixi plans to allocate about US$209.6M to US$349.3M for M&As, as well as capital and business alliances between the financial years of 2023 and 2025.

Antler Malaysia appoints serial entrepreneur as associate partner
Frank Kang will be in charge of operations and investment strategy in Malaysia; Before the appointment, Kang co-founded People2, a social networking service backed by SoftBank.

These trio grew BuyMed into a B2B healthtech brand with a reach in 12K+ townships in VN
BuyMed, which recently raised US$51.5M in Series B funding, says it processes over 5K orders daily and reaches 12K+ townships across Vietnam.

The value for biz lies in how humans, AI will enhance each other’s strengths: Mixpanel CEO
Generative AI is really just the next interface of computing, unlocking huge productivity gains across various sectors, says Amir Movafaghi.

How to achieve cybersecurity independence in Southeast Asia
Fostering a cybersecurity workforce equipped with the latest skills and knowledge will be paramount in securing the region’s digital sovereignty.

Rising trend in Vietnam: Young professionals embracing social media content creation
According to the ‘Monetise the Creative Economy’ report by Adobe, 33 per cent of those surveyed engaged in part-time content development.

How to navigate the ethical landscape of Responsible AI
Responsible AI constitutes our greatest chance at cultivating a future wherein AI is wielded for a good while mitigating its risks.

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Naman Jhawar to head India and Southeast Asia ops of Picus Capital

Germany-based early-stage VC firm Picus Capital has appointed the former executive at India’s gaming unicorn Mobile Premier League, Naman Jhawar, as Partner and Head of India and Southeast Asia.

The announcement comes in the wake of the company’s plans to increase its investments in this region with a focus on fintech, enterprise software, and climate tech.

In the new role, Jhawar will scout for startups and support Picus’s 20 

existing portfolio companies in the region. Overseeing territories such as India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, and the Philippines, he will guide the firm’s investments in these areas. 

Also Read: Singapore’s waste management firm Blue Planet gets Bintang Capital’s backing

Jhawar will also offer early-stage founders support, networking opportunities, and operational assistance.

Prior to Picus Capital, Jhawar was the Senior Vice President of Strategy and Operations at Mobile Premier League. He has also been an angel investor and a consultant at McKinsey, with expertise in consumer tech and automotive sectors.

Picus Capital is an international, privately financed VC company with headquarters in Munich and offices in Berlin, New York, Beijing, London, São Paulo and Singapore. It has over 170 portfolio companies globally and predominantly invests in pre-seed, seed and Series A rounds.

The key focus areas are technology companies in financial services, HR, energy & climate, healthcare, logistics & mobility, real estate & construction, crypto & web3, deeptech and e-commerce. 

Its portfolio firms include Aspire, Multiplier, Crea, and WeRize. 

Picus Capital has plans to allocate 25-30 per cent of its capital to the APAC region moving forward. This aligns with its long-term strategy and will fund new and follow-on investments within its portfolio.

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