International Collaboration
Given the borderless nature of cyber-threats, international collaboration is crucial in ensuring Infocomm security for Singapore.
SingCERT was a founding member of the Asia Pacific Computer Emergency Response Team (APCERT) that was established in 2002. Singapore has been a member of the steering committee since 2002. The purpose of the APCERT is to encourage and support the cooperation between national CERTS in the Asia Pacific region. APCERT maintains a trusted network of computer security experts in the Asia Pacific region to improve the region's awareness and competency in relation to computer security incidents.
Since 2004, Singapore has collaborated with the APCERT to help ASEAN member countries like Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Brunei enhance their CERT capabilities. In 2009, SingCERT has assumed the role of Deputy Chair in the APCERT Steering Committee.
FIRST is a global organisation for computer incident response teams and Singapore has been a member of FIRST since 1998.
Singapore hosted the 2005 Annual FIRST conference that was held in Asia for the first time. The event served as the foundation to promote the improvement of computer security worldwide through the sharing of viewpoints, ideas, and information.
SingCERT plays an active role in promoting collaboration among the CERTs in ASEAN. In particular, SingCERT developed the "Minimum Performance Guideline for Setting up of a National CERT" and "Guidelines on Information Sharing". Both documents have been accepted by ASEAN as reference materials for all members.
On an annual basis, SingCERT plans and executes the ASEAN CERT Incident Drill (ACID). The drill aimed to strengthen cooperation among CERTs in ASEAN and its dialogue partners, and to test and refine the points of contacts in each incident response team and their incident handling procedures.
The Meridian Process aims to provide Governments worldwide with a means to discuss how to work together at the policy level on critical information infrastructure protection (CIIP). As new challenges of connectivity and dependencies arise beyond national borders, Meridian enables Governments internationally to explore the benefits and opportunities of cooperation, and exchange of information and good practices in CIIP.
An annual conference and various activities are held each year to help build trust and establish international relations within the membership. The conference also facilitates the sharing of experiences and good practices on CIIP from around the world. Participation in the Meridian process is open to all countries and aimed at senior government policy-makers.