IOH and Cisco launch AI-powered security operations center in Indonesia

　　Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison (IOH) has launched a new security operations center (SOC) in Indonesia, delivering AI-powered threat detection in real-time across hybrid and multi-cloud environments.

　　The new SOC, established in collaboration with Cisco, is designed as a sovereign platform to ensure that sensitive national data remains protected under Indonesian jurisdiction. It will enable businesses and government agencies to detect and respond to threats more quickly while complying with data sovereignty regulations.

　　IOH said that the sovereign SOC is the first local deployment of Splunk Cloud Platform and Splunk Enterprise Security in Indonesia.

　　"We are not just launching a security platform – we are enabling a strategic safeguard for the nation. This Sovereign SOC is about protecting our infrastructure, empowering our people, and securing the digital economy at scale. It reinforces our belief that digital transformation must be trusted, inclusive, and sustainable," said IOH President Director and CEO Vikram Sinha in a statement on Wednesday.

　　According to IOH, the new SOC is specially equipped to handle AI-related cybersecurity incidents, which 91% of Indonesian organizations experienced in the past year. The telecom operator stated that the SOC provides a centralized, nationally coordinated defense layer for Indonesia's critical systems, including those in finance, healthcare, transportation, and public services.

　　In addition to improving the country's capabilities for threat intelligence and incident response, IOH said that the new AI-powered SOC will support the responsible deployment of generative AI and large language models. The company noted that this will ensure that AI innovation remains secure, compliant, and ethical at scale.

　　The launch of the SOC fulfills one of the commitments made when Indonesia established the AI Center of Excellence in July. This national initiative is led by the Ministry of Communications and Digital Affairs (Komdigi) and supported by IOH, Cisco, and Nvidia.

　　Cisco has been tasked with delivering an intelligent security system for the AI factory as part of the AI Center of Excellence. This system will combine AI-based threat detection, localized data control, and managed security services. The Sovereign Security Operations Center Cloud Platform will enable Indonesian data managers to protect their digital assets more securely and in accordance with applicable laws.

　　Training over one million people in cybersecurity

　　Meanwhile, IOH and Cisco have set their sights on training 1 million Indonesians in cybersecurity and networking via the local Cisco Networking Academy by 2030.

　　To date, the academy has trained more than 500,000 individuals from more than 200 organizations.

　　According to IOH, the expanded cybersecurity talent initiative will collaborate closely with the new SOC to develop a digitally resilient workforce. The SOC will serve as a training ground for the Cyber Resilience Labs, hosting real-world simulations, industry training, and national readiness programs.

　　Security as a service

　　Through the new SOC, IOH says it can provide security as a service to businesses of any size.

　　"The Sovereign SOC is designed not only for large enterprises and government agencies, but also for Indonesia’s thriving small and medium business ecosystem. Through affordable, accessible security services, the SOC will help over 10,000 SMEs strengthen their digital defenses and participate more confidently in the digital economy," IOH said.

　　According to Ken Research, the Indonesian SOC as a service is valued at US$23 billion, driven in part by government initiatives to improve the country's cybersecurity posture. The market intelligence firm noted that Indonesia's National Cyber and Crypto Agency required organizations to adopt robust cybersecurity measures in compliance with the 2021 Cybersecurity Bill.

　　"This law has made SOC-as-a-service a critical requirement for businesses aiming to comply with national standards," Ken Research said in a report released in December 2024.

　　The report also noted that the use of AI in SOC services is gaining momentum in Indonesia, where the government has invested approximately $15 billion in AI-based cybersecurity solutions over the past year.

　　"AI-powered SOCs enable faster threat detection and response, making SOC services more effective for diverse industries. SOC providers incorporating AI-driven solutions can offer enhanced value to Indonesian businesses, especially those in finance and healthcare where data security is critical," the report stated.