BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Brunei will set up a National Cyber Security Centre to defend the country from cyber threats in line with the government's strategy to harness technology for economic gain.

Brunei's Minister of Transport and Infocommunications Abdul Mutalib said during Wednesday's Legislative Council (LegCo) meeting that a cyber ecosystem that is safe and secure is required to elevate Brunei's status to a "smart nation". The country is making efforts to use technology to improve lives of constituents and create solutions.

The establishment of the National Cyber Security Centre will allow the country to monitor and coordinate efforts at the national level to battle cyber security threats, he added.

The minister also commented on the setting up of the Unified National Network Sdn Bhd (UNN) which he said supports the sultanate's National Broadband Policy.

Brunei would consolidate the network infrastructure of all existing telecommunication operators in the country under the newly formed UNN.

The move was in line with Brunei's push for the development of the ICT sector which is critical to creating an ecosystem that supports Brunei's long term digital transformation.

"The objective of the establishment of the UNN is to ensure broadband access to all consumers, improve the quality and affordability of broadband services and usage in an optimum manner," said Abdul Mutalib during the LegCo meeting.