2025-12-01
Malaysia Leverages BlackBerry to Secure 2025 ASEAN Summit
High-level diplomatic events demand coordination among multiple agencies, thousands of personnel, and complex security protocols. Malaysia deployed BlackBerry® AtHoc® and BlackBerry® SecuSUITE® to secure the 46th and 47th ASEAN Summits, demonstrating how sovereign secure communications can enable large-scale, real-time collaboration while protecting sensitive operations.
The ASEAN Summit brings together Heads of State, Ministers, and officials from the Americas, Europe, Africa, and Asia. With the need to coordinate over 500 meetings and thousands of personnel from different government agencies, the Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs recognized that mobile communication must be both secure and efficient. As malicious actors gain increasingly easy access to advanced signal intelligence capabilities, protecting voice and messaging from interception has become paramount.
Following the successful deployment during the 46th ASEAN Summit in May 2025, the ASEAN Main Logistics Secretariat (SILA) is expanding the use of BlackBerry® secure communications for the 47th Summit, held in Kuala Lumpur from October 26–28. The BlackBerry® solutions will protect command-and-control operations both inside the Summit's mobile operations center and communications with personnel on the move. This helps ensure that sensitive conversations remain confidential and operational coordination stays fluid.
Following the successful deployment during the 46th ASEAN Summit in May 2025, the ASEAN Main Logistics Secretariat (SILA) is expanding the use of BlackBerry® secure communications for the 47th Summit, held in Kuala Lumpur from October 26–28. The BlackBerry® solutions will protect command-and-control operations both inside the Summit's mobile operations center and communications with personnel on the move. This helps ensure that sensitive conversations remain confidential and operational coordination stays fluid.
Securing Cross-Agency Communication
His Excellency Raja Saifful Ridzuwan Raja Kamaruddin, Head of the ASEAN Main Logistics Secretariat (SILA), explained the operational necessity:
“Approximately 80% of our cross-agency communication is secure, some of which is highly confidential and directly related to the safety and security of Heads of State and officials. With BlackBerry, we found an encrypted, open communication platform that protects sensitive information while enhancing coordination efficiency.”
Earlier this year, at the 46th ASEAN Summit, 100 Liaison Officers used BlackBerry AtHoc to send secure, location-based alerts and manage coordination.
For the 47th ASEAN Summit, the deployment of BlackBerry AtHoc was expanded to 150 Liaison Officers, and BlackBerry SecuSUITE for iOS® and standard Android devices was added. This addition allows Liaison Officers to communicate securely with visiting delegations and foreign teams, reducing the number of devices needed to maintain end-to-end encrypted voice and secure messaging while on the go.
“Approximately 80% of our cross-agency communication is secure, some of which is highly confidential and directly related to the safety and security of Heads of State and officials. With BlackBerry, we found an encrypted, open communication platform that protects sensitive information while enhancing coordination efficiency.”
Earlier this year, at the 46th ASEAN Summit, 100 Liaison Officers used BlackBerry AtHoc to send secure, location-based alerts and manage coordination.
For the 47th ASEAN Summit, the deployment of BlackBerry AtHoc was expanded to 150 Liaison Officers, and BlackBerry SecuSUITE for iOS® and standard Android devices was added. This addition allows Liaison Officers to communicate securely with visiting delegations and foreign teams, reducing the number of devices needed to maintain end-to-end encrypted voice and secure messaging while on the go.
Execution of Mobile Command and Control
BlackBerry AtHoc achieved truly secure Mobile Command and Control, helping officials monitor the movements of personnel and VIPs, respond quickly to weather or security incidents, and coordinate seamlessly across different agencies.
His Excellency Raja Saifful added:
“Five minutes could mean missing 50 messages. BlackBerry AtHoc streamlined the way we communicate across agencies, while SecuSUITE encrypted voice commands to prevent eavesdropping and leaks. For the 47th ASEAN Summit, we are expanding the deployment of both solutions to deliver a secure, seamless, and highly coordinated event.”
The technologies and standards deployed are similar to those used during the G7 Summits and Ministerial Meetings in 2018 and 2025. During these events, the Summit Management Office under Global Affairs Canada relied on BlackBerry AtHoc for secure and integrated communications across multiple departments. This set a high standard for operational resilience and cross-agency collaboration.
His Excellency Raja Saifful added:
“Five minutes could mean missing 50 messages. BlackBerry AtHoc streamlined the way we communicate across agencies, while SecuSUITE encrypted voice commands to prevent eavesdropping and leaks. For the 47th ASEAN Summit, we are expanding the deployment of both solutions to deliver a secure, seamless, and highly coordinated event.”
The technologies and standards deployed are similar to those used during the G7 Summits and Ministerial Meetings in 2018 and 2025. During these events, the Summit Management Office under Global Affairs Canada relied on BlackBerry AtHoc for secure and integrated communications across multiple departments. This set a high standard for operational resilience and cross-agency collaboration.
Large-Scale Sovereign Communications
As the Chair of ASEAN in 2025, Malaysia is redefining large-scale sovereign secure communications.
BlackBerry® Secure Communications provides government-grade protection for data, personnel, and operations, ensuring seamless end-to-end security and coordination across agencies, enabling mission-driven teams to stay connected and highly efficient.
BlackBerry® Secure Communications provides government-grade protection for data, personnel, and operations, ensuring seamless end-to-end security and coordination across agencies, enabling mission-driven teams to stay connected and highly efficient.
