National Cyber Security Agency established

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has on Monday officially established the National Cyber Security Agency.

This Agency will be run under the Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology.

A statement issued by the President's Office stated that the mandate of the Agency is to act as a focal point for all matter relating to the cyber security of residents and the State itself at the national level.

It further said that the Agency will work to establish national cyber security standards and policies, support strengthening cyber defence capabilities of Government institutions, as well as exert efforts to obtain the necessary facilities to further improve the Maldives' cybersecurity capabilities.

The statement reads that the President established the Agency under Article 116 of the Constitution which states that "The President has the discretion to establish all ministries required within the Government, and shall determine their areas of jurisdiction".

The Agency has been set up in the wake of rising numbers of cyber attacks on government websites, including that of the President's Office.