Prof Dr Cheah Phaik Kin honoured with double recognition at
Top Women in Security ASEAN Awards 2025

UTAR proudly congratulates Prof Dr Cheah Phaik Kin from the Faculty of Arts and Social Science (FAS) on her remarkable achievement at the Top Women in Security ASEAN Awards 2025, where she was honoured with the Security Researcher Award and the Country Award – Malaysia.

A distinguished academic, researcher and volunteer police officer, Prof Cheah has long been recognised for her tireless dedication to public safety, community empowerment, and research excellence. Her work stands at the intersection of academia, law enforcement, and corporate social responsibility, where she bridges research with real-world impact. From pioneering academic studies on volunteer policing to spearheading regional campaigns that raise awareness of job scams and cybersecurity threats, Prof Cheah exemplifies the spirit of social responsibility and leadership that drives positive change.

Director and Executive Editor of MySecurity Media Pty Ltd Chris Cubbage said, “We’re very proud to be celebrating our sixth year of these awards and once again the awards ceremony gave an important platform to recognise and give voice to women security professionals and law enforcement officers from across the ASEAN region and beyond. I’m especially pleased that Malaysia is again a standout this year and special congratulations to Prof Dr Cheah Phaik Kin for winning the researcher and Malaysia country awards.”

On the other hand, the 2025 ASIS International President Joe Olivarez said, “ASIS International is honoured to support the Top Women in Security ASEAN Awards, which shine a vital spotlight on the exceptional contributions women are making across our profession. Prof Cheah’s recognition with both the Security Researcher Award and the Country Award for Malaysia exemplifies the calibre of leadership and scholarship advancing security throughout the ASEAN region. Her dedication to rigorous research and collaborative approaches strengthens not only Malaysia’s security landscape but also our collective ability to address complex challenges across borders. It was a privilege to celebrate her achievements and those of all the outstanding recipients, and to witness firsthand the transformative impact these leaders are having on the future of our industry.”

Reflecting on her achievement, Prof Cheah shared, “I am still feeling a little dazed but deeply thankful. Being honoured with two awards representing Malaysia among the ten ASEAN countries is truly humbling. I am sincerely grateful to UTAR, the Faculty of Arts and Social Science, the Royal Malaysia Police, the Police Volunteer Reserve, my colleagues, students and partners who have believed in our shared mission to keep communities safe. This recognition is not mine alone; it belongs to everyone who has supported the journey of research, teaching, volunteering and raising awareness on job scams and public safety. We keep learning, we keep serving, and we keep people safe.”

Now in its sixth year, the Top Women in Security ASEAN Region Awards celebrate women who have significantly advanced the security industry across the ten ASEAN nations. This year’s awards saw 20 finalists representing six ASEAN countries, as well as Australia, New Zealand, and Japan, with participants spanning a wide range of sectors including banking, financial services, critical infrastructure, law enforcement, technology, and managed services.

The awards recognise excellence across domains such as cybersecurity, electronics, physical, protective, and management roles, and were judged by a panel of five esteemed experts from the region. Supported by leading security organisations including ISACA Foundation, ASIS International, OWASP, and the Association of Information Security Professionals (AiSP), the initiative also received contributions from professional women’s networks across Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand.

The award recipients were announced at a virtual ceremony held on 28 October 2025 and were further recognised at Security Event Asia on 12 November 2025 at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Singapore, followed by a Gala Dinner as part of the ASIS International Asia Pacific Conference.

Prof Cheah, who serves as a Lance Corporal with the Royal Malaysia Police Volunteer Reserve, has earned widespread recognition for integrating academic research with practical security engagement. A pioneer in the study of volunteer policing, she authored Malaysia’s first academic study on volunteer police, solidifying her position as a trailblazer in this area of research. Her studies on policing in Malaysia, the United States, and the United Kingdom have been featured in reputable international journals, and she contributed to the Routledge International Handbook of Policing Crises and Emergencies.

In 2025, Prof Cheah led a regional anti–job scam awareness campaign in collaboration with ASEANAPOL, the Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation, and global partners – PolicingTV (UK), the Global Foundation for Community Safety Volunteering (UK), and the Center for Public Safety and Justice at the University of Virginia (USA). Developed and implemented together with her undergraduate students, the initiative reached communities across ASEAN through digital outreach and media engagement, reinforcing the value of youth engagement and applied learning in tackling emerging security challenges.

Beyond her national contributions, Prof Cheah holds advisory and visiting roles at the University of Virginia, University of Central Florida and University of Northampton (UK). She has also been invited to speak at international forums, including Police Scotland and the UK Association of Special Constabulary Officers, highlighting her growing influence in international policing and security research.

Prof Cheah’s career reflects a profound commitment to community resilience, cross-border collaboration, and evidence-based policing. Through her dual service as a scholar and practitioner, she continues to advance the fields of security and cybersecurity not only in Malaysia and the ASEAN region but also globally, embodying UTAR’s vision of nurturing professionals who contribute meaningfully to society through knowledge, integrity, and compassion.