This paper investigates cyber security awareness amongst rural communities in Indonesian, aiming to develop strategies for community cyber security capacity building. As a starting point of our study regarding cyber capacity building in Indonesia, we conducted a national survey spanning 172 participants from South Sulawesi, situated in Sulawesi island, Eastern Indonesia. The aim of the survey is to identify crucial factors influencing cyber security awareness, including personal information protection, reporting mechanisms, and media education on cyber security issues. Findings indicate a moderate level of cyber security awareness with gaps in understanding anti-virus use, firewall programs, and the importance of not sharing others’ personal information online. The study suggests that tailored educational campaigns and increased collaboration across government and private sectors are essential to enhance cyber security capabilities in these communities. The findings are important to inform strategies for a more inclusive and resilient cyber security capacity building and supporting infrastructure across Indonesia’s diverse socio-economic landscape.