US-ASEAN Business Council Organizes Roundtable on Implementing and Aligning Cybersecurity Standards and Conformance in ASEAN

(Jakarta, Indonesia) On December 2, 2025, the US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC), in partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), convened a U.S.-ASEAN Roundtable on “Best Practices in Implementing and Aligning Cybersecurity Standards and Conformance in ASEAN.”

Organized in a hybrid format on the sidelines of the 15th Meeting of the ASEAN Digital Trade Standards and Conformance Working Group (DTSCWG), the Roundtable brought together 125 participants comprised of representatives from ASEAN Member States including Timor Leste, alongside U.S. Government officials, technical experts, and private-sector leaders to strengthen regional cooperation on cybersecurity standards and digital trust.

The event opened with welcoming remarks from Nugraheni Utami, Chief Country Representative for Indonesia at USABC. In her opening, she reaffirmed “the importance of robust cybersecurity standards and effective conformity assessment systems in supporting ASEAN’s digital integration and strengthening regional trust.” She underscored USABC’s commitment to supporting ASEAN’s efforts to enhance regulatory readiness, institutional capacity, and secure digital trade.

Teresita G. Del Rosario, Officer-in-Charge, Asst. Director of the Bureau of Philippine Standards and Chair of the DTSCWG provided remarks highlighting ASEAN’s ongoing work in strengthening digital trade standards. She emphasized the need for stronger collaboration between governments, industry players, and international partners to advance interoperability and harmonized cybersecurity practices across the region. Representing the U.S. Government, Thao Anh Tran, Economic Chief of the U.S. Mission to ASEAN, stressed the United States’ commitment to supporting ASEAN’s cybersecurity standards harmonization efforts.

“Harmonized cybersecurity standards are essential to building trust, interoperability, and resilience across ASEAN’s fast-growing digital ecosystem,” said Kolin Low, Regional Director for ASEAN, Japan, Korea, and Australasia at UL Standards & Engagement. “By aligning national frameworks with internationally recognized practices, ASEAN can reduce duplication, enhance cross-border assurance, and create a stronger foundation for secure and seamless digital trade.”

Across the Roundtable’s four panel discussions, speakers and experts from ASEAN Member State representatives, U.S. government, and the U.S. private sector shared perspectives on best practices for implementing global cybersecurity standards, developing a common language of trust for information security, supporting Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) through phased and cost-effective certification pathways, and exploring innovative digital tools to modernize conformity assessment and enhance cross-border security assurance. Panellists collectively emphasized the importance of aligning ASEAN with international cybersecurity frameworks, advancing regional interoperability, and strengthening the region’s capacity to engage in global standard-setting processes.

“Strong public-private partnerships are vital to helping ASEAN Member States build the technical capacity and governance structures needed to navigate an increasingly complex cybersecurity landscape.” added Lilian Rogers, Head of Government Affairs, Southeast Asia at Cisco Systems. “Deeper U.S.–ASEAN collaboration across government, industry, and standards communities can meaningfully support ASEAN Member States in adopting global best practices, strengthening regional cybersecurity preparedness, and ensuring that digital transformation remains trusted, inclusive, and sustainable.”

The Roundtable discussions highlighted shared areas of interest among ASEAN Member States, the ASEAN Secretariat, the U.S. Government, and private-sector partners to continue advancing practical, solution-oriented cooperation in support of a trusted, resilient, and inclusive digital future for ASEAN.

USABC extends its appreciation to UL and Cisco Systems for their generous support and contributions to the program also the strong partnership from DTSCWG and the ASEAN Secretariat in collaborating for this Roundtable.