ASEAN Consensus and Forming Cybersecurity Regulation in Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia has emerged as one of the world's economic development zones. The advancement of information technology is undeniably driving economic growth in this region by the digital economy. Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member countries reap the benefits of the region's digital economy development. However, ASEAN itself still has significant problems related to cyber security regulations. Unlike other non-traditional security organizations, ASEAN already has a cooperation framework in place to combat security threats such as drugs, terrorism, and human trafficking. In reality, ASEAN does not yet have a framework for cooperation or regulation in dealing with cyber threats. This region is heavily reliant on the expansion of the digital economy. This scientific article will examine how ASEAN can maximize the organization's consensus mechanism in order to reach an agreement on cyber security regulations in the Southeast Asian region. The author analyzes cyber security issues using qualitative methods. As a data collection technique, the author employs a case study approach and secondary data such as literature studies. According to the author's discussion, a cybersecurity cooperation framework can be achieved through consensus if ASEAN can maximize the functions of the general secretariat and critical regional forums. As a result, the role of ASEAN sub organ will be very important in order to foster cybersecurity consensus in the Southeast Asian region.