Leonardo opens cyber center in Kuala Lumpur to support regional security

The new center is part of a wider plan to expand Leonardo's presence in Malaysia and across the region.

Italian aerospace, defense and security vendor Leonardo has opened a new Regional Cyber Center in Kuala Lumpur as it looks to build its presence in Southeast Asia. The new center, which will be a strategic hub for the region, is part of Leonardo’s global network which includes Chieti, Bristol, Brussels and Riyadh.

According to a media statement by Leonardo, Malaysia was chosen for its strong role in regional cybersecurity. The country has clear laws in place and a track record of protecting critical systems. With its own tools in cyber and physical security, as well as mission-critical communications, Leonardo aims for the new center to support efforts against hybrid threats. The company also says the center will help strengthen digital autonomy and long-term development in Malaysia and the region.

The Kuala Lumpur facility becomes part of the Global CyberSec Center (GCC), based in Chieti, Italy. It joins other regional centers already active in Brussels, Bristol, and Riyadh. The GCC network supports defence agencies and operators of key national systems by sharing processes, threat data, and advanced technologies across its sites. This model is meant to provide a global view of emerging threats while allowing each country to keep control of its own sensitive data.

Andrea Campora, Managing Director of Leonardo's Cyber & Security Solutions Division, described the project as a long-term commitment to Malaysia. He said the company wants to build a strong industrial and tech partnership with the country and help grow "high specialized local human capital." Campora added that cyber self-reliance is now "the new currency of stability," and that the Global CyberSec Platform is meant to help national organizations maintain security and continuity in critical operations.

He also noted that the work in Malaysia is aimed at supporting the shift of key systems — such as the National Cloud and national security operations — toward more autonomous, strategic models.

The new center is part of a wider plan to expand Leonardo's presence in Malaysia and across the region. It also follows recent moves the company has made in areas such as Zero Trust architecture. Together, these efforts are meant to reinforce Malaysia's position as an important regional hub for Southeast Asia and, over time, East Asia.

Leonardo has worked in Malaysia for more than forty years, supplying tools and systems for defense and aerospace. Its past work in the country includes helicopters for military and commercial use, military aircraft, radar systems, naval and electronic warfare tools, and security systems for critical sites and key communications.