Cybersecurity Project of the Year
Recognising ACFC’s cybersecurity achievements within its first 12 months of establishment.
Malaysia Cyber Security Awards 2023
Axiata Cyber Fusion Center was established in 2022 with one mandate: build a cybersecurity capability worthy of defending one of Asia's most complex and targeted digital ecosystems. What we built in the process HELIOS, our CREST-accredited SOC, our offensive security team is now available to the organisations that face the same adversaries.
The story of ACFC does not begin in 2022 it begins in 2018, when Axiata Group launched its first cybersecurity strategy and stood up a Group Security Operations Centre. That first four-year chapter created the institutional knowledge that ACFC was built on.
By 2021, the operating reality was clear: a fragmented, tool-per-discipline approach to cybersecurity could not protect a group spanning telecommunications, financial services, digital infrastructure, and fintech across the region.
ACFC was the answer. A Cyber Fusion Center that brought together what had previously been separate threat intelligence, security architecture, incident response, offensive security, governance, and data privacy into a single, coordinated operational model.
To secure information assets against cyber threats across the Axiata Group in support of Axiata's strategy and to do so in a way that creates trust and confidence in Axiata as a digital champion across the region.
The name 'Cyber Fusion Center' is not a rebrand of a Security Operations Centre. It describes a fundamentally different model one where threat intelligence, defensive operations, offensive testing, governance, and data privacy are not separate functions that share an org chart. They share context, data, and analytical output in real time.
In 2023, ACFC's cybersecurity maturity was independently benchmarked against the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and ranked in the top 30% globally, exceeding the regional average across Asia Pacific, Europe, and Latin America. This is not self-assessed maturity. It is third-party validated performance against an internationally recognised standard.
Eight years of deliberate capability building from a Sri Lanka outsourcing model to a patent-granted, CREST-accredited, commercially active cybersecurity operation.
Every credential listed here was earned not self-declared. Each requires ongoing operational evidence, regular reassessment, and documented adherence to international standards.
ACFC's experience defending one of Asia's most complex digital ecosystems is available to your organisation. Tell us your challenge — we'll connect you with the right practitioner.
Level 10, Persiaran Barat, Seksyen 52, 46200 PJ, Selangor
hello@axiatacfc.comAxiata Cyber Fusion Center was established in 2022 with one mandate: build a cybersecurity capability worthy of defending one of Asia's most complex and targeted digital ecosystems. What we built in the process HELIOS, our CREST-accredited SOC, our offensive security team is now available to the organisations that face the same adversaries.
Contact UsThe story of ACFC does not begin in 2022 it begins in 2018, when Axiata Group launched its first cybersecurity strategy and stood up a Group Security Operations Centre. That first four-year chapter created the institutional knowledge that ACFC was built on.
By 2021, the operating reality was clear: a fragmented, tool-per-discipline approach to cybersecurity could not protect a group spanning telecommunications, financial services, digital infrastructure, and fintech across the region.
ACFC was the answer. A Cyber Fusion Center that brought together what had previously been separate threat intelligence, security architecture, incident response, offensive security, governance, and data privacy into a single, coordinated operational model.
To secure information assets against cyber threats across the Axiata Group in support of Axiata's strategy and to do so in a way that creates trust and confidence in Axiata as a digital champion across the region.
The name 'Cyber Fusion Center' is not a rebrand of a Security Operations Centre. It describes a fundamentally different model one where threat intelligence, defensive operations, offensive testing, governance, and data privacy are not separate functions that share an org chart. They share context, data, and analytical output in real time.
ACFC's SOC does not monitor alerts in isolation. Every alert is enriched with HELIOS threat intelligence so analysts know not just what happened, but which adversary group is likely behind it and what their next likely move is.
ACFC's red team and penetration testers operate against the same threat models the SOC monitors. Findings from offensive engagements directly update detection use cases the same week.
Security architecture and governance are not separate functions that produce policies nobody reads. ACFC's governance team turns operational findings into policy updates, compliance evidence, and board-level risk reporting in real time.
Threat intelligence, vulnerability data, incident logs, and dark web intelligence flow into a single operational picture HELIOS's correlated intelligence layer. No silos. No re-entry.
ACFC coordinates security across 12 operating entities with different technology stacks, regulatory environments, and risk profiles. A threat detected at one OpCo is triaged for relevance across all others.
ACFC operates on a metrics-driven delivery model 78% of governance reports automated, 87% effort reduction, MTTD under 1 hour. Security maturity is not declared it is evidenced.
In 2023, ACFC's cybersecurity maturity was independently benchmarked against the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and ranked in the top 30% globally, exceeding the regional average across Asia Pacific, Europe, and Latin America. This is not self-assessed maturity. It is third-party validated performance against an internationally recognised standard.
Eight years of deliberate capability building from a Sri Lanka outsourcing model to a patent-granted, CREST-accredited, commercially active cybersecurity operation.
Axiata defines its first group-wide cybersecurity strategy under Digital Trust 2020. A comprehensive Cybersecurity Posture Assessment is completed, and the Group establishes its first SOC in Sri Lanka under an outsourced support model. The first three-year cybersecurity strategy is formalised, setting the foundation for capability building.
Axiata Cyber becomes the first telecommunications group across all Axiata operating markets to receive FIRST membership, enabling rapid global threat-intelligence exchange and access to the international incident response community.
Axiata adopts the NIST CSF as its baseline maturity framework. The Zero Trust Framework and Certification Programme are introduced. The Cybersecurity Architecture Review Board (CyberARB) is formed to review all major technology investments for security implications prior to sign-off.
ACFC Inauguration — The Axiata Cyber Fusion Center is formally launched by YB Annuar bin Musa. ACFC also attains CREST accreditation, becoming the first telecom group in Axiata markets to be certified for both SOC and penetration testing.
ACFC is benchmarked in the top 30% globally against the NIST CSF, surpassing regional averages across Asia Pacific, Europe, and Latin America. CREST independently rates the SOC as 'Above Average'. ACFC hosts over 40 industry visits for benchmarking and knowledge sharing.
ACFC earns its first major industry recognition at the Malaysia Cyber Security Awards validating the fusion-center model within 12 months of launch.
Axiata Group secures a licence from NACSA to provide SOC and penetration testing services becoming part of an exclusive group authorised under the national cybersecurity framework. HELIOS patent application submitted.
HELIOS wins Cybersecurity Innovation Product of the Year (Malaysia Cyber Security Awards) and the AIBP Enterprise Innovation Award. MOUs are signed with MDEC and CyberSecurity Malaysia to enhance national threat-intelligence sharing.
HELIOS is granted patent MY-212304-A by MyIPO, Malaysia's patented AI-powered attack-intelligence platform and Axiata Group's first-ever patent.
With 10 industry recognitions in 2025–2026, ACFC continues to strengthen its position as a regional cybersecurity leader, expanding its reach and serving clients across Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Cambodia.
Every credential listed here was earned not self-declared. Each requires ongoing operational evidence, regular reassessment, and documented adherence to international standards.
ACFC's Security Operations Centre holds CREST accreditation the international gold standard for SOC quality. Rated 'Above Average' by CREST in February 2023. First telecom group in Asia's operating markets to achieve this.
ACFC's penetration testing capability holds independent CREST accreditation certifying that our testers meet the international competency standard. First in Asia's markets.
ACFC holds membership in FIRST the Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams enabling faster threat intelligence sharing and access to the global incident response community.
Licensed by NACSA to provide SOC and Penetration Testing services under the Cyber Security Act 2024 one of a select number of organisations authorised under the national cybersecurity framework.
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
18 national and regional recognitions celebrating ACFC’s achievements in cybersecurity innovation, operational excellence and leadership.
Recognising ACFC’s cybersecurity achievements within its first 12 months of establishment.
Malaysia Cyber Security Awards 2023
Recognising cybersecurity excellence across Axiata Group.
Malaysia Technology Excellence Awards 2024
Recognising ACFC’s cybersecurity innovation and capabilities.
Asian Telecom Awards 2025
Recognising excellence in enterprise cyber risk defence.
MARIM Awards 2025
Recognising ACFC’s contribution to digital transformation.
GBS ASEAN Awards 2025 by PIKOM
Recognising excellence in cybersecurity team performance.
100 CISO Summit & Awards Malaysia 2026
Recognising ACFC’s regional contributions to digital services.
ASOCIO Digital & AI Awards 2026
Patented Innovation
Granted on 10 February 2026, the patent recognises ACFC’s proprietary Cyber Threat Attribution & Risk Quantification System, with patent applications pending in Cambodia and Sri Lanka.
ACFC's experience defending one of Asia's most complex digital ecosystems is available to your organisation. Tell us your challenge — we'll connect you with the right practitioner.