TNI Discusses Plan to Form Cyber Force

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Coordinating Minister of Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, Hadi Tjahjanto, said the country needs a cyber force as the fourth branch of the Indonesian armed forces (TNI). According to the minister, the world is facing a new realm of warfare, cyber warfare. 

“Nowadays, defense and security require more than fighter jets and warships,” Hadi said in Jakarta on Wednesday, September 4, 2024.

The former TNI Commander said Indonesia has once faced cyber warfare with countries backing Timor Leste. “Cyber warfare is a war of the mind, it utilizes information media to form public opinion,” he said.

TNI already has a cyber unit at the TNI Headquarters, Hadi said, but the authority only extends to administrative and portal security. The Ministry of Defense and the TNI Headquarters are currently developing the capability to thwart and face cyber warfare. 

TNI Commander, Agus Subiyanto, said his institution is discussing the plan to form a cyber force as the fourth branch of the Indonesian military. “We are evaluating the existing cyber unit,” Agus said at the Parliamentary Complex, Jakarta, on Tuesday, September 3.

.Agus believed forming a cyber force depends on human resources. Thus, he intends to conduct special recruitment for the cyber force. 

“Cyber force is distinct from other forces, the personnel would probably consist mostly of civilians or civil servants (ASN),” he said.

Agus said TNI prioritizes skill in recruiting and screening the cyber force personnel. He said the military is seeking civilians proficient in technology and informatics field to be recruited in cyber force. 

Agus revealed that President Joko Widodo or Jokowi has instructed the military to form a cyber force. A similar request was proposed by the Speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly, Bambang Soesatyo.

NOVALI PANJI NUGROHO

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