Thai telcos to establish telecom CERT

Eight Thai telecom operators have reportedly signed an agreement to establish a dedicated telecom computer emergency response team (CERT).

The operators, which include incumbents AIS, Dtac and True as well as state-owned operators TOT and CAT, will establish the CERT over the next 12 months.

The collaboration will initially involve sharing information about cyber threats, as well as collaborating on analytics to deal with threats to state agency websites and e-commerce sites.

Other signatories include Symphony Communication, CS Loxinfo and United Information Highway.

The move to establish a dedicated industry CERT is in line with the cybersecurity bill recently passed by Thailand’s National Legislative Assembly. The telecom body will be the second industry CERT to collaborate with the national CERT after the finance industry.

The telecom CERT will be self-regulated and managed by the Telecommunications Association of Thailand, the report states.

The association is seeking funding of 20 million baht ($630,000) from telecoms regulator NBTC to help pay for the establishment of the CERT. The full budget has not yet been set, but all members are expected to contribute.