Gov't Addresses Numerous Hacking Attacks

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Communication and Informatics Ministry's director-general of application and informatics Semuel Abrijani Pangerapan, asserted that the ministry has services that could assist victims of cyberattacks such as hackings. 

However, Semuel said that victims of hacking must report the incident to the Director-General of Application and Informatics at Communication and Informatics Ministry, and must allow government investigators to access systems or websites that have been hacked. 

"We have digital forensic experts if anyone needs our help to investigate," Semuel said in ngobrol @Tempo virtual discussion on Thursday afternoon, August 27, 2020. 

Semuel also explained that private digital forensics are also available or one could rely on the Indonesian national police's cybercrime directory. 

Southeast Asia Freedom of Expression Network (SafeNet) Executive Director Damar Juniarto recorded that there have been six cyberattacks on August 2020 against high-risk groups such as journalists, academics, and activists.

The hacking against Tempo.co earlier last week was also one of these attacks. "Those behind the hacking are surely people that share contrasting views.

"We don't know for sure, but at least they are happy that there seems to be no attempt to arrest the perpetrators of the criminal acts. That is what we are concerned with," said Damar.

AHMAD FAIZ IBNU SANI