Government Seeks Public Feedback on New National Cybersecurity Framework Bill

The Secretariat of the Maldivian Parliament has opened a proposed cybersecurity bill for public consultation, inviting citizens and stakeholders to provide feedback on the legislation from June 17 until 2:00 p.m. on July 1. Introduced by Hussain Nasih, Member of Parliament for Central Henveyru, the bill aims to establish a comprehensive legal framework to protect the Maldives' digital environment. A central feature of the legislation is the creation of the National Cyber Security Agency, which will serve as the primary body for coordinating efforts to secure the nation's digital landscape. Under the proposed structure, the National Security Council will be responsible for determining national cybersecurity policies, relying on the technical advice and guidance provided by the newly established agency. The draft law introduces strict licensing regulations for entities providing specialized cybersecurity services. To ensure accountability and quality standards, the bill mandates that such providers obtain a special license. Those operating without the required authorization face significant financial penalties, with fines ranging from USD 3,243.77 to USD 32,437.72. Beyond licensing, the legislation will define national cybersecurity standards and set specific requirements for information systems connected to both state and private institutional infrastructure. Once passed, the law will facilitate the development of guidelines to identify domestic and cross-border cybersecurity risks. This system is designed to prevent digital incidents and provide a coordinated response to potential contingencies. The bill was initially submitted to the Majlis (the Maldivian Parliament) on May 11 and represents a strategic move to modernize the country's defenses against evolving digital threats.