UNAIR NEWS – Universitas Airlangga was appointed by the committee of Rembuk Nasional 2017 (2017 National Forum) to hold a discussion on Cyber Resilience. The discussion on Friday, September 22 attended by elements of academic community was held to formulate idea improving the government policy.

Prof. Henri Subiakto, drs., SH., M.Si. a professor of FISIP UNAIR as the first speaker said that all information provided through technology is an asset. Nowadays, crimes can happen through Information Technology. How do we defend ourselves from this kind of crimes?

Henri said that the public as agents contributing to information production must be educated and empowered by the state.

“The public must be smart, IT literate, digital world literate including literate in politics. They have to have awareness on the importance of information security,” said Henri.

Henri said that the public should be able to identify whether the information was true or fake. Some characteristics of fake news or hoaxes are making the readers’ anxious, provoked and presented with loud words.

“Everyone can be  journalists, but they can also be public enemies. So, utilized the technology for the wellness and prosperity of all,” he said.

President Advisory Councilman Drs. Sidarto Danusubroto, S.H Police Major General, Ret. Hoped this discussion can produce ideas useful for the government in making policies.

“From the discussion, we expected inputs and recommendation from regional experts to the government. The campus will give a more objective solution,” said Sidarto.

He said that the radical group movements, fake news or hoax spread, or issues on tribes, religions, race and ethnicity (SARA) are the challenges of Indonesia.

“Let us build strong and health democracy without hoaxes, haters or  with Mari kita bangun demokrasi dengan sehat, bukan dengan hoax, haters, or issues on SARA,” he stated.

Meanwhile, UNAIR Rector Prof. Moh. Nasih said that UNAIR educates its students by emphasizing systematic way of thinking.

“The tasks given to students, or assignments such as  thesis demand students to think systematically. So, do not make decision without basing it on data and facts. Even when we based it on them, we are demanded to check and recheck it,” stated Prof. Nasih.

Prof. Nasih hoped that information technology development is always used to create better civilization.

The other speakers in the discussion were Prof. Henri Subiakto, drs., SH., M.Si. (FISIP UNAIR), Dr. Ir. Achmad Affandi, DEA. (Electrical Engineering, ITS), Dr. Eng. Herman Tolle, ST., MT. (FIK Information System, UB), Faizal Rochmad Djoemadi (President Director of International Telkom), and Police Commissioner F Barung Mangera , Head of Public Relations Division of East Java Regional Police. (*)

Author : Binti Q. Masruroh

Editor  : Nuri Hermawan