Indonesia Faces Shortage of Around 6 Million Digital Talents as Cyber Threats Grow, Deputy Minister Says
Indonesia will need around nine million digital talents by 2030, but the country currently produces just over three million, leaving a gap of roughly six million people to be filled in the coming years. Deputy Minister of Communication and Digital Nezar Patria said the shortage is becoming more urgent as cyber threats increasingly rely on artificial intelligence and quantum computing.
- Deputy Minister Nezar Patria estimates Indonesia needs about nine million digital talents by 2030, against current output of just over three million.
- The gap of around six million talents must be filled within the next few years.
- Nezar warned that “agentic AI” can execute cyber attacks autonomously, raising the speed and scale of threats.
- Indonesia needs post-quantum cryptography and security-by-design principles to protect long-term data.
The talent gap in numbers
Speaking in a written statement on August 10, Nezar said Indonesia’s digital talent demand is estimated to reach about nine million people by 2030. The country’s current ability to produce digital talents stands at just over three million, meaning a gap of about six million must be closed over the next several years.
The deputy minister said the need has become more pressing because the cybersecurity landscape has changed. Threats no longer come only from conventional hackers, but increasingly involve AI-based methods.
How AI changes the threat picture
Nezar explained that AI can strengthen cyber defence, but it can also let criminals automate attacks. With AI, attacks no longer depend entirely on human hackers; instead, “agentic AI” can execute cyber actions independently, increasing both the speed and the scale of threats.
He also highlighted the “harvest now, decrypt later” pattern, where encrypted data is stolen and stored until quantum computers are able to break the encryption. To protect long-term data, Indonesia must develop post-quantum cryptography systems, while applying security-by-design principles from the system design phase of digital projects.
Why talent matters for data security
“Without strong talent, I think our data wealth will eventually scatter, be stolen, read, and captured by those who are more powerful,” Nezar said in the statement.
The remarks come as Indonesia pushes to build its digital economy while facing a rising number of cyber incidents. Closing the six million talent gap will require coordinated efforts across education, vocational training, and industry hiring, according to the ministry’s position.
FAQ
How many digital talents does Indonesia need by 2030?
Around nine million, according to Deputy Minister Nezar Patria, while the country currently produces just over three million.
What is the “harvest now, decrypt later” threat?
It is a pattern where attackers steal encrypted data and store it until quantum computers can break the encryption at a later date.
Why is AI a double-edged sword in cyber security?
AI can reinforce defence systems, but it also enables “agentic AI” that automates attacks and increases their speed and scale.
Source: Katadata
Cover image generated by AI for illustrative purposes only.
