ASN WFH Policy and Cyber Security Risks...

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The government has established a flexible work policy for civil servants (ASN) with a scheme of four days work from office (WFO) and one day work from home (WFH) every Friday. This policy brings adjustments to the ASN work patterns, particularly in the utilisation of digital systems that allow some work to be done outside the office. However, the government asserts that the implementation of this policy has been accompanied by strengthening cyber security systems, while several observers assess that its success is highly determined by the discipline of implementation and supervision at the executive level. The Minister for Administrative Reform and Bureaucratic Reform (MenPAN-RB) Rini Widyantini emphasised that the ASN flexible work policy through Circular Letter of MenPANRB Number 3 of 2026 has considered cyber security aspects since the formulation stage. “The pattern is not full WFH, but four days work from office and one day work from home on Fridays. This means that the majority of ASN work still takes place in the office with standardised digital security infrastructure,” said Rini to Kompas.com on Tuesday (12/5/2026). Rini emphasised that Indonesia already has a national cyber security framework prepared by the National Cyber and Crypto Agency (BSSN), which serves as a reference for all ministries, agencies, and regional governments in managing the Electronic-Based Government System (SPBE). According to her, risk mitigation does not solely rely on technology but also on strengthening internal processes in agencies. “WFH implementation is not merely a change in work location but must also be accompanied by strengthening governance, digital security discipline, and risk mitigation in each agency,” she stated. Rini also stressed the importance of enhancing ASN competencies through training with the Ministry of Communication and Digital and the National Institute of Public Administration, particularly regarding digital security literacy. “Government digital transformation indeed needs to go hand in hand with strengthening cyber security and improving human resource capacity so that public trust remains optimal, safe, and reliable,” said Rini. Contacted separately, cyber security observer Alfons Tanujaya assessed that flexible work from home (WFH) can basically increase productivity, as long as it is accompanied by strict control and discipline. However, he acknowledged that from a security perspective, home networks generally have a lower level of protection compared to office networks managed by professional administrators. “In the office, it is relatively safer because there is an admin. At home, it is relatively weaker,” said Alfons.