13 February 2025
Sulisintia Harahap
The event was organized by the Directorate of Internationalization and Global Partnerships (DIKG), represented by its Secretary, Arif Nuryawan, S.Hut., M.Si., Ph.D. The discussion between the speaker and participants was moderated by the Vice Dean I of the Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology, Dr. M. Andri Budiman.
The public lecture was officially opened by USU's Vice Rector III, Prof. Dr. Poppy Anjelisa Zaitun Hasibuan, M.Si., Apt., who emphasized the importance of infrastructure security in supporting regional stability. “In this digital era, critical infrastructure is highly vulnerable to various cyber threats. Therefore, collaboration and in-depth understanding are necessary to strengthen resilience against potential threats,” said Prof. Poppy.
Dr. Paulus Wahjudi explained that there are 16 critical infrastructure sectors categorized by the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). These infrastructures can be permanent or semi-permanent, mobile or immobile, as well as static or dynamic. Due to their broad scope, these sectors possess significant attack vectors.
Dr. Paulus also highlighted the importance of protecting critical infrastructure by presenting a cyberattack simulation on the U.S. power grid, which could result in economic losses exceeding $1 trillion. Additionally, breaches in water systems could cause mass illnesses and fatalities, while cyberattacks on healthcare facilities could force them to revert to manual operations.
According to Dr. Paulus, the key strategies for securing critical infrastructure include a comprehensive approach in the National Cyber Strategy to enhance cybersecurity at all levels. Furthermore, Incident Response Frameworks are needed to ensure a rapid and coordinated response to incidents. Critical Infrastructure Protection focuses on regulations and investments to safeguard essential services from cyber threats. Public-Private Partnerships are crucial for collaboration between the public and private sectors in intelligence sharing. Additionally, Increased Investment in Cyber Education is required to expand training for cybersecurity professionals, while the implementation of Zero Trust Architectures can reduce the risk of lateral movement in security breaches.
During the Q&A session, participants showed great enthusiasm by asking a variety of interesting questions, such as the phenomenon of phishing, the emergence of DeepSeek as an AI competitor, and the impact of online gambling among students. The speaker responded with in-depth analysis and provided insights into strategic steps to counter these threats.
Besides the discussion session, the event also featured an interactive quiz presented by the speaker, covering the topics discussed. Participants who successfully answered questions correctly had the opportunity to win attractive prizes, further increasing their engagement.
This public lecture is expected to enrich students' academic knowledge in the field of cybersecurity and infrastructure resilience. By enhancing their understanding of digital threats and mitigation strategies, the younger generation is hoped to actively contribute to maintaining regional stability in the future.
High Interest in USU, SMA Negeri 2 Plus Sipirok Explores Strategies for University Admission and Research Collaboration
Komisi E DPRD Sumatera Utara Lakukan Kunjungan Kerja ke USU, Bahas Penguatan Pendidikan hingga Internasionalisasi Mahasiswa
USU Explores Strategic Collaboration with CCEP Indonesia to Strengthen Green Skills and Sustainable Entrepreneurship
