Google has unveiled a comprehensive strategy in collaboration with the National Cyber and Crypto Agency (BSSN) and various nonprofit and social enterprises. This initiative, announced at the inaugural AI Policy and Skilling Lab event, which saw participation from over 80 government officials, is set to enhance Indonesia’s digital ecosystem’s resilience through specialized cybersecurity training programs and AI-powered tools.

Google’s initiative, supported by the Center for Digital Society (CfDS) and the Artificial Intelligence Industry Research and Innovation Collaboration (KORIKA), aims to equip Indonesian policymakers with the necessary frameworks and best practices for leveraging AI’s potential responsibly. The program encourages the sharing of insights and policy recommendations through monthly think tank sessions, involving a diverse group of industry experts, policymakers, and other stakeholders.

“For decades, cybersecurity has been an uneven playing field. Attackers need only one successful intrusion while defenders are under immense pressure to deploy the best defenses at all times across an increasingly complex digital terrain. This is called the ‘Defender’s Dilemma,’ and we believe that advancements in AI can reverse this dynamic,” said Putri Alam, Director, Government Affairs and Public Policy, Google Indonesia.

“The adoption of AI-powered cybersecurity tools—combined with the skills required to use these tools—has the potential to reduce cybercrime-related costs for Indonesian businesses and individuals by up to IDR 1,365 trillion by 2030. We’re proud to be deepening our commitment toward securing and advancing Indonesia’s digital future, by collaborating with BSSN and many others on AI security training programs and delivering new capabilities for defenders.”

The strategic partnership between BSSN and Google Cloud focuses on three core areas: developing national cybersecurity specialists through scholarships, sharing vital threat intelligence, and building joint capacity for AI in cybersecurity. This includes providing 1,000 Google Cybersecurity Certificate scholarships to Indonesian government officials and employing Google’s Secure AI Framework (SAIF) to develop advanced solutions for protecting critical national infrastructure.

“At BSSN, we share Google’s belief that AI presents policymakers, industry professionals, and civil society with the opportunity to tilt the cybersecurity balance from attackers to defenders and build a safer cyberspace for everyone. Where threat actors are already experimenting with AI, we must keep pace—or even get ahead—by strengthening the ability of our human resources to innovate with and utilize this technology. This collaboration between the government and a leading industry player like Google, in areas like providing Google Cybersecurity Certificate scholarships to government officials and engaging in threat information exchange and joint capacity building, will help us maximize the use of AI to give our defenders the upper hand, while limiting the technology’s utility to our adversaries.”

Inspector General of Police Dono Indarto, Deputy for Cyber and Crypto Strategy and Policy, BSSN

Furthering its commitment, Google.org is extending its support to The Asia Foundation, alongside local partners, to offer cybersecurity training to 70,000 local micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), nonprofits, and social enterprises. This initiative is part of a broader US$15 million grant to establish the APAC Cybersecurity Fund, aimed at enhancing the cyber capabilities of 300,000 underserved organizations across the Asia Pacific region.

Google Cloud also expands access to cybersecurity and AI skills training through the Google Cloud Skills Boost Program, making several courses available for free. This initiative caters to a wide audience, including executives, IT professionals, and technical practitioners, enabling them to build and showcase their skills to potential employers.