Metfone and Cisco Forge Strategic Partnership to Accelerate Cambodia’s Digital Future.

In a major milestone for Cambodia’s technology landscape, Metfone has officially entered a strategic partnership with Cisco, one of the world’s leading technology innovators to deliver next-generation ICT solutions to businesses, organizations, and government institutions nationwide. This collaboration marks a defining shift in Metfone’s evolution, transitioning from a traditional telecommunications operator into a fully integrated technology solutions provider capable of supporting Cambodia’s fast-growing digital ecosystem.

A New Technology Distribution Era for Cambodia

Under this strategic agreement, Metfone will take on a central role in distributing a full suite of Cisco’s advanced enterprise products and specialized technology solutions throughout Cambodia. This includes everything from high-level networking systems to industry-specific solutions designed to enhance operational efficiency across sectors. This expanded distribution power positions Metfone to offer a wider and more sophisticated product ecosystem than ever before.

Strengthening Customer Support Through Consulting and Deployment Services

A second major pillar of the partnership centers on Metfone’s commitment to providing top-tier consulting, deployment, and ongoing technical support to customers adopting Cisco technologies. This ensures Cambodian businesses receive world-class service quality from onboarding to long-term lifecycle management fully aligned with global standards. This enhanced support system will enable organizations to integrate new technologies more smoothly and maintain reliable digital operations as they scale.

Building a Nationwide Network of Partners and Distribution Channels

The third pillar focuses on expanding accessibility. Metfone will develop a robust network of distribution channels and local partners, enabling customers across all provinces and major cities to quickly and transparently access Cisco’s authentic products. With this decentralized market reach, even remote areas can benefit from reliable digital infrastructure, contributing to more inclusive national development.

Cisco’s Contribution: Technology, Training, and Market Development

In return, Cisco will equip Metfone with its latest portfolio of products, ensuring that Cambodian customers gain access to cutting-edge global innovations. Cisco will also implement comprehensive training programs to enhance Metfone’s workforce capabilities, including internationally recognized certifications. Beyond technology and training, Cisco will collaborate with Metfone on marketing strategies, market development initiatives, and national programs supporting Cambodia’s broader digital transformation agenda.

A Boost for Businesses, Government Agencies, and Consumers

The partnership offers tremendous value for Cambodia’s business community, government institutions, and end users. With stronger local expertise and faster access to world-class solutions, organizations can implement scalable, synchronized, and secure digital systems more efficiently. Consumers will also benefit from reliable, high-quality products backed by professionally trained local teams, ensuring authenticity, transparency, and trust.

Driving Cambodia’s Digital Transformation Forward

For Metfone, this collaboration represents a bold strategic leap forward, strengthening its competitive edge and positioning it as a leading national driver of digital transformation. By expanding its technology ecosystem, Metfone is now better equipped to support modern digital infrastructure demands, from enterprise modernization to nationwide digital government initiatives. More importantly, the partnership sets the stage for accelerated technological progress, helping Cambodian businesses and institutions embrace sustainable, efficient, and future-ready digital solutions.

A Testament to Metfone’s Long-Term Vision

Ultimately, the Metfone–Cisco alliance reflects Metfone’s enduring commitment to delivering high-value technology to Cambodian customers. More than a business agreement, this partnership underscores Metfone’s pioneering role in shaping Cambodia’s technological advancement and supporting the nation’s journey toward a more dynamic digital economy.

Source: https://www.information.gov.kh/articles/175575

MAFF Launches FARMBOOK App and Equips Agricultural Officials with Digital Tools.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) has taken a major step toward digital transformation in Cambodia’s agricultural sector. To strengthen data-driven decision-making and improve service delivery, MAFF officially launched the FARMBOOK App – Android, & IOS) distributed digital tablets, and initiated orientation and digital training programs for local agricultural officers. This initiative represents the government’s ongoing efforts to modernize agriculture and ensure that local officials can effectively respond to emerging challenges and opportunities.

Read more: “Visit Angkor” Mobile App! Who Should Use it?

What Is the FARMBOOK App?

The FARMBOOK App is an innovative digital platform created to enhance agricultural data collection, reporting, planning, and decision-making, particularly in rural and remote communities. Designed to serve as a bridge between farmers and government agencies, the app enables commune agricultural officers to gather real-time data, evaluate regional production trends, and support evidence-based agricultural strategies.

The launching ceremony took place at the Royal University of Agriculture (RUA) and was presided over by Dith Tina, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. Distinguished guests included Kong Marry, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF); Igor Driesmans, Ambassador of the European Union to Cambodia; Stefan Messerer, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Cambodia; and more than 1,200 commune agricultural officials.

Read more: How to Buy Angkor Tickets Online? A Complete Guide

What You Need to Know

Minister Dith Tina congratulated newly appointed commune agricultural officers and reminded them of the importance of understanding national agricultural policies to better serve their communities. He highlighted that the digital tools and training would enhance their ability to assist farmers efficiently and improve agricultural outcomes.

“Commune agricultural officers must use these resources with a high sense of responsibility in providing advisory services to farmers in agricultural techniques, marketing, and economics,” Tina said.

The minister also encouraged officers to motivate farmers to form modern agricultural communities that focus on reducing production costs, improving livelihoods, and securing stable market prices.

Regarding the FARMBOOK App, Tina emphasized that the system’s development remains ongoing. MAFF is actively seeking additional funding to expand and upgrade the app to meet Cambodia’s evolving agricultural needs.

The digital training program, according to MAFF, aims to strengthen the capacity of local officials in data analysis and agricultural planning. With this training, officers can identify farmers’ needs, estimate input requirements, assess geographical conditions, and evaluate production volumes at the regional level.

Read more: What is the CHAKRA STEM App for? Cambodia’s Digital Tool for a Greener Future

All collected data will be consolidated at the national level, enabling the government to prepare strategic agricultural plans and implement timely interventions to address sector-wide challenges.

Cambodia’s Digital Social Protection Platform: A Leap Toward Smarter, Inclusive Social Welfare

In a landmark move toward a more connected and transparent social welfare system, Cambodia has officially unveiled its Digital Social Protection Platform (DSPP), a transformative digital ecosystem designed to unify and modernize the country’s social protection services. The launch ceremony, held in Phnom Penh on October 6, 2025, was presided over by Professor Aun Pornmoniroth, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economy and Finance, and Chairman of the National Council for Social Protection. The event drew over 350 key stakeholders in person from ministers and ambassadors to civil society leaders and was virtually joined by more than 5,000 local officials and program officers nationwide.

The DSPP marks a critical step in Cambodia’s ongoing journey toward a digital government, one that bridges technology with social equity. Dr. Chan Narith, Secretary-General of the National Council for Social Protection, explained that the initiative stems from a long-term vision to make social protection “more efficient, integrated, and user-friendly,” emphasizing a “harmonization” approach instead of rigid “standardization.” Over years of development, this concept evolved into the platform launched today the Cambodia Digital Social Protection System, a unified mechanism designed to simplify access, enhance coordination, and eliminate duplication across the country’s diverse social programs.

What is Digital Social Protection Platform (DSPP)?

The Digital Social Protection Platform (DSPP) is Cambodia’s unified digital system that integrates all social protection programs into one platform. It manages citizen registration, verifies beneficiary identities, and streamlines cash assistance and welfare services using technologies like digital IDs, facial and fingerprint scans, and real-time data sharing, making social support more efficient, transparent, and accessible nationwide.

At its core, the DSPP serves as a centralized, interoperable platform for registering and verifying citizens’ identities under the nation’s social protection framework. It brings together multiple government-led programs from cash assistance for pregnant women, young children, the elderly, and people with disabilities, to scholarship and HIV support programs. It also integrates systems for poor household identification, disability ID cards, and veteran social benefits. This harmonized approach not only ensures that assistance reaches the right people at the right time but also strengthens accountability and transparency in public service delivery.

A key innovation of the DSPP is its “Fast Search” function, which allows officers to instantly verify individuals using a Social Protection Identification Number (SPID). This feature can cross-check information using various ID sources the national ID card, Equity Card, disability ID, or National Social Security Card and even through facial or fingerprint scans. The platform also leverages optical character recognition (OCR) technology to automatically extract information from Khmer national ID cards, cutting down manual data entry and improving accuracy. Commune and sangkat officials now receive real-time notifications of registration updates, enabling faster review and approval of applications a milestone in digital efficiency at the grassroots level.

Reflecting on the achievement, Professor Aun Pornmoniroth described the platform as “a joint achievement that has built an important foundation in the development and implementation of the Royal Government’s National Social Protection Policy.” He highlighted that the project not only provides digital tools for program officers at the sub-national level but also empowers local administrations through a nationwide distribution of modern equipment from laptops and fingerprint scanners to mobile printers and tablets. This rollout represents Cambodia’s tangible progress in modernizing its welfare administration from the ground up, ensuring that digital transformation reaches even the most rural communities.

Ultimately, Cambodia’s Digital Social Protection Platform is more than a technological upgradet it’s a symbol of progress, equity, and innovation. It aligns with the nation’s vision of inclusive growth, where every citizen, regardless of their background, can access support through a system that is faster, fairer, and future-ready. The platform stands as a bold statement that Cambodia is not just digitizing data, it is digitizing dignity, ensuring that social protection keeps pace with the country’s aspirations for a smarter, more compassionate society.

Change Your Gmail Passwords Now: How Cambodians Can Stay Safe from Global Email Hacks.

In an age where our digital lives are as valuable as the physical ones we live every day, protecting online accounts has never been more important. For Cambodians, where nearly everyone with access to the internet uses Gmail as their primary email service, the latest global warning from Google is a wake-up call. Over 2.5 billion Gmail users worldwide have been cautioned after hackers reportedly gained unauthorized access to accounts, exposing millions to potential identity theft, scams, and business disruption.

The Ministry of Post and Telecommunications (MPTC) in Cambodia responded swiftly, urging citizens to immediately change their Gmail passwords and strengthen their digital defenses. In a statement released over the weekend, the ministry emphasized that digital safety is a shared responsibility—and even a small oversight could make you the next target of a cybercriminal. The advice was simple but urgent: “Change your password, turn on two-tier protection, and never trust emails or phone calls claiming to be from Google.”

Why Changing Your Password Matters?

Passwords are the first line of defense for any online account. Hackers, especially notorious groups like ShinyHunters, a collective linked to data breaches at AT&T and Microsoft, use phishing tactics to trick unsuspecting users into revealing login credentials. Once inside your Gmail, they can access personal photos, business communications, financial records, and even linked accounts like Facebook or online banking.

The danger is not just theoretical. Phishing emails often look so convincing that even experienced internet users fall victim. They may mimic official Google messages, asking you to “verify your account” or “reset your password” via a fraudulent link. In Cambodia, where many small businesses still rely on free Gmail accounts for day-to-day operations, this type of breach could mean losing years of customer records or exposing sensitive business transactions.

Two-Step Verification: Your Digital Lock and Key

Cyber experts stress that even the strongest passwords can be compromised, which is why two-step verification (2FA) is now considered essential. As explained by Google, two-step verification adds a second barrier to entry—often a code sent to your phone or a verification prompt on a trusted device. This means that even if hackers steal your password, they cannot access your account without this extra layer of security.

For Cambodians who use Gmail both for personal communication and business transactions, enabling 2FA is one of the simplest and most effective steps toward safeguarding their online presence. It takes only a few minutes to activate, but it could save you from years of damage caused by identity theft or financial fraud.

Small Businesses at Risk

While larger corporations in Cambodia have already migrated to corporate email systems with advanced protection features such as Google Workspace, IT specialists warn that smaller businesses remain highly vulnerable. According to Vipin Valsan, an IT expert based in Phnom Penh, businesses with turnovers under $100,000 often still depend on free Gmail accounts for official communication.

“This is risky,” Valsan told Khmer Times. “Switching to professional email services is not that expensive, and it provides advanced security tools that personal Gmail accounts lack. The cost is usually a per-user monthly fee, but what you gain in safety and reliability far outweighs the risks of losing data to hackers.”

For Cambodia’s growing number of startups, SMEs, and family-run businesses, the message is clear: email is not just a communication tool, it’s a business asset that must be protected.

Digital Safety in Cambodia’s Online Landscape

Cambodia currently has 18.98 million internet users, with Gmail being one of the most widely used email platforms. This makes the Kingdom particularly vulnerable to global cyber threats. The MPTC has been vocal in encouraging Cambodians to build better digital habits, such as:

• Regularly updating passwords and avoiding simple ones like birthdays or phone numbers.
• Using passkeys or password managers to generate unique, strong credentials.
• Being cautious of phishing attempts, never clicking on links or opening attachments from unknown senders.
• Keeping software, browsers, and mobile apps up to date to minimize vulnerabilities.
• Educating employees and family members about the dangers of oversharing personal information online.

Digital safety is not just about protecting personal email accounts. For many Cambodians, Gmail is linked to banking, e-commerce, and even government e-services. A single compromised account could unravel an entire digital identity.

A National Responsibility

The Gmail hack serves as a timely reminder that cybersecurity is not only a personal duty but also a national concern. As Cambodia accelerates toward digital transformation—expanding e-commerce, fintech, and digital government services, ensuring the safety of its citizens online is crucial.

The MPTC’s call to action is straightforward: change your password, enable two-factor authentication, and be alert to scams. For small businesses, upgrading to corporate email systems is a worthwhile investment in long-term digital security.

Cambodians have embraced the internet at an incredible pace, and with nearly every smartphone user in the Kingdom owning a Gmail account, the stakes are higher than ever. Protecting digital assets is no longer optional, it’s essential for maintaining trust, privacy, and progress in the Kingdom’s growing digital economy.

👉 Final Takeaway: If you are reading this and have not updated your Gmail password recently, do it now. Turn on two-step verification, and if you run a business, consider switching to professional email services. Cybersecurity starts with small actions, but those actions could make the difference between staying safe and becoming the next victim.