THEGIGABIT AND ESET INK MoU TO COMBAT RISING CYBER THREATS IN MALAYSIA

Kuala Lumpur, 26 March 2024—In a strategic move to enhance cybersecurity for Malaysian companies, Gigabit Hosting Sdn. Bhd (TheGigabit) and global cybersecurity vendor ESET's Malaysia distributor, Axento Asia Sdn Bhd (ESET Malaysia), have inked a pivotal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This collaboration marks a significant step towards safeguarding businesses from cyber threats that have seen a sharp rise, especially phishing and ransomware attacks across Malaysia.

In Malaysia, there has been an alarming increase in ransomware incidents, with a loss of USD 500 million (RM2.3 billion) reported, according to CyberSecurity Malaysia. With this partnership, both companies aim to significantly improve the cybersecurity posture for all clients by deploying advanced cybersecurity solutions powered by AI and human expertise, making TheGigabit’s ecosystem a safe haven for online business owners globally. TheGigabit’s certified Security Operations Centre (SOC) Team, equipped with ESET’s cutting-edge cybersecurity tools, will ensure companies get the best-in-class endpoint protection.

Strategic Alliance for Enhanced Cyber Resilience

TheGigabit and ESET Malaysia are committed to creating a secure ecosystem for businesses by deploying ESET's AI-driven cybersecurity tools and the expertise of seasoned professionals. This initiative is not just about countering threats; it’s about fostering a safe digital environment that encourages growth and innovation.

West Teoh, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Technology Officer of Gigabit Hosting Sdn Bhd, emphasised the catastrophic impact of data breaches on businesses, highlighting the dire need for preventive measures. “Imagine this: your critical servers suddenly fall prey to ransomware, and as we have seen in reported cases, the attackers can demand an average of RM2 million! If your data is irrecoverable, your business will be non-operational for several months as the focus shifts to data recovery from backups. The loss, not only in profits but also in opportunities, will be immense. However, with ESET's global recognition as a top-tier cybersecurity provider and TheGigabit's extensive experience and infrastructure, I am confident that our partnership with ESET will significantly enhance businesses, especially the local small-medium enterprises' cyber defence capabilities."

“In the latest 2023 Cybersecurity Leadership Matrix report by research and analysis firm Canalys, ESET is among the top eight endpoint security vendors and has maintained its Champion status for the fifth consecutive. This demonstrates ESET's significant growth and the customer trust it has garnered. With TheGigabit's strong presence in Malaysia, I firmly believe that our partnership with TheGigabit, which first started in 2020, will further elevate our brand and expand our reach, replicating our global success.” said Michal Chovančík, Country Manager of ESET Malaysia.

Safeguarding Critical Business Infrastructure

Real-world successes under this partnership have already demonstrated its effectiveness, from thwarting keyloggers to intercepting Trojan horses aimed at critical financial and property development sectors. These interventions prevented potential data breaches and offered a blueprint for proactive cybersecurity practices.

Some of TheGigabit's successful implementations leveraging ESET’s cybersecurity tools include a property development company that had migrated its servers into TheGigabit's data centre. Upon migration, TheGigabit's SOC team detected a keylogger disguised as svchost.exe that had been active for six months. The SOC team used ESET Inspect (EDR) to successfully isolate and remove the threat. The client was promptly notified and advised to change all passwords to ensure comprehensive security and prevent further compromise.

Another successful implementation in the financial industry—where data protection is crucial— TheGigabit, leveraging ESET’s cybersecurity tools, detected and mitigated a trojan horse sending data overseas. The Gigabit SOC team traced it to an East Asian hacker syndicate, secured the server further and provided crucial information to the authorities to trace and prosecute.

As TheGigabit continues to expand its IT and cybersecurity services across Asia, and with ESET’s 35 years of global experience in digital security, this MoU signing ceremony symbolises a shared commitment to securing the digital landscape and empowering businesses to thrive in a world of evolving cyber threats.

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About Gigabit Hosting Sdn. Bhd (TheGigabit)
With more than 15 years of experience operating as an Internet or Web hosting company in Malaysia, TheGigabit is currently in the process of an initial public offering (IPO). TheGigabit has a strong presence in Asia (Malaysia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Japan), serving more than 3,000 satisfied clients globally and aggressively protecting its users from cyber threats.

Originating as a web hosting company, TheGigabit has since grown its business to be one of the key players in the Data Center industry along with multi-faceted offerings- from IT infrastructure, Data Centers, and Network Design to Managed Services. TheGigabit aims to provide sustainable services globally to help businesses reach their highest potential.

About ESET and Axento Asia Sdn Bhd
Axento Asia Sdn Bhd is the exclusive partner and authorised distributor of ESET solutions in Malaysia and Brunei. For more than 35 years, ESET® has been developing industry-leading IT security software and services to protect businesses, critical infrastructure and consumers worldwide from increasingly sophisticated digital threats. From endpoint and mobile security to endpoint detection and response, as well as encryption and multifactor authentication, ESET’s high-performing, easy-to-use solutions unobtrusively protect and monitor 24/7, updating defences in real-time to keep users safe and businesses running without interruption. Evolving threats require an evolving IT security company that enables the safe use of technology. This is backed by ESET’s R&D centres worldwide, which are working to support our shared future. For more information, visit www.eset.com or follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook.