Singapore is recognised as a global leader in the adoption and use of infocomm technology. Infocomm technology is widely leveraged as a key enabler by individuals, businesses, and government agencies across all economic sectors, such as finance, telecommunication, healthcare and transport.

While the adoption of infocomm technology has increased convenience, raised quality of services, and created new opportunities, it can also be exploited by online criminals to cause harm and create mischief, such as the theft of valuable data and disruption of online services.

Infocomm security thus plays an important role in creating a secure and trusted environment as it enhances the tenacity of our economy against cyber threats. This helps to boost the confidence of investors in choosing Singapore as a strategic and secure location for their investments.

Since the early days of computerisation in Singapore, emphasis has been placed on the assurance of the confidentiality, integrity and availability of information, as well as the security of the underlying systems and communication networks.

National Programmes

Against the backdrop of pervasive infocomm technology use by the Singapore Government, businesses and society, Singapore's strategy to secure the infocomm environment is encapsulated in the two Infocomm Security Masterplans.

The Infocomm Security Masterplan 2 (MP2) , launched in 2008, is a five-year roadmap which aims to build upon the achievements of the first Masterplan by enhancing the tenacity of our economy against cyber attacks, thereby boosting the confidence of investors in choosing Singapore as a strategic and secure location for their investments. Developed through a multi-agency effort led by IDA, under the guidance of the National Infocomm Security Committee, MP2 will see the public, private and people sectors working even more closely together to secure Singapore's cyber space.

The first Infocomm Security Masterplan (ISMP) was launched in February 2005. ISMP is a three-year (FY2005 - FY2007) strategic roadmap that focuses on developing infocomm security capabilities to enhance Singapore's national level efforts to protect the country against external and internal cyber threats.

Complementary to the ISMP is the National Trust Framework (NTF) , which was conceptualised in 2006 as part of IDA's iN2015 Masterplan. The NTF focuses on addressing issues relating to identity, security and privacy, to provide greater assurance and trust for Singapore to be plugged into the information economy over the next decade. Together, as complementary initiatives, the ISMP and the NTF chart the directions and key strategies that will strengthen the resilience and robustness of our national infocomm infrastructure, and raise the overall standard of infocomm security in Singapore.

Singapore Computer Emergency Response Team (SingCERT)

Singapore was among the first nations in South East Asia region to establish the Singapore Computer Emergency Response Team (SingCERT) in 1997. As part of IDA's effort in creating a conducive, innovative, and competitive infocomm environment that is both pro-consumer and pro-business, SingCERT is a one-stop centre for security incident response in Singapore. It was set up to facilitate the detection, resolution and prevention of security related incidents on the Internet. The services that SingCERT provide include:

• Broadcasting of alerts, advisories and security patches
  
  
• Promoting security awareness by conducting security courses, seminars and workshops
  
  
• Collaborating with the industry, local and other national CERTs to resolve security incidents

International Collaborations

As cyber-threats transcend geographical boundaries, it is important to work closely with international counterparts in facilitating the detection, resolution and prevention of security-related incidents. IDA, through SingCERT, actively engages international counterparts through platforms such as Asia Pacific Computer Emergency Response Team (APCERT) , Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams (FIRST) , and ASEAN CERT Incident Drill (ACID) .

Critical Infocomm Infrastructure Protection (CIIP) is another key area of focus in international collaboration. Many sectors critical to economic activity and social well-being are heavily dependent on infocomm technology. Examples of these can be seen in the Energy, Finance and Transport sectors. As CIIP is an emergent domain where knowledge in this area is still not well-defined, international collaboration is a crucial means to acquire and share information on CIIP. IDA is an active participant in the Meridian Process which provide a platform for Governments to discuss how to work together on CIIP at the policy level. Singapore was the President of the Meridian Process in 2009 and led a multi-nation working group to explore and develop opportunities for cross-border collaborations. Member nations in the working group included Australia, ITU, Japan, Netherlands, Singapore (chair), United Kingdom and the USA.

Related Resources

• Strengthening National Preparedness To Mitigate Cyber Threats
  IDA Press Release, 22 March 2010
  
  
• Securing Our Cyberspace, A Shared Responsibility
  Mr Lui Tuck Yew, Acting Minister for Information, Communications And the Arts - Opening Address
  Information Security Seminar, Suntec Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre, 22 March 2010
  
  
• Infocomm Security in the Government
  Mr Peter Ho, Head of Civil Service And Chairman, National Infocomm Security Committee - Keynote Address
  Information Security Seminar, Suntec Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre, 22 March 2010
  
  
• Managing Information Security Threats in a Changing World
  Mr Peter Ho, Head of Civil Service And Chairman, National Infocomm Security Committee - Opening Address
  Information Security Seminar 2009, Suntec Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre, 2 April 2009
  
  
• New S$70m Masterplan To Boost Singapore's Infocomm Security Competency And Resilience
  IDA Press Release, 17 April 2008
  
  
• Enhancing Singapore's Secure and Trusted Hub Status with Second Infocomm Security Masterplan
  Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports - Opening Address
  Infocomm Security Seminar 2008, Suntec International Convention & Exhibition Centre, 17 April 2008
  
  
• Critical Information Infrastructure Protection In Action
  Mr Peter Ho, Head of Civil Service and Chairman, National Infocomm Security Committee - Keynote Address
  Meridian Conference 2008, Marina Mandarin Hotel, 22 October 2008
  
  
• The Cyber Threat Landscape Today
  Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports, and Second Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts - Opening Address
  Infocomm Security Seminar 2007, SMU Administration Building, Level 5, Conference Hall, 17 April 2007
  
  
• Towards a Secure and Trusted Infocomm Environment
  Mr Peter Ho, Head of Civil Service And Chairman, National Infocomm Security Committee - Keynote Address
  Infocomm Security Seminar 2007, SMU Administration Building, Level 5, Conference Hall, 17 April 2007
  
  
• Opening Address by DPM Tan at the Infocomm Security Seminar 2005
  Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam, Deputy Prime Minister And Coordinating Minister for Security and Defence - Opening Address
  Infocomm Security Seminar 2005, The Auditorium, Matrix Building, Biopolis, 22 February 2005
  
  
• Singapore's Strategy in Securing Cyberspace
  Mr Peter Ho, Permanent Secretary (Foreign Affairs), Permanent Secretary (National Security & Intelligence Coordination) and Chairman, National Infocomm Security Committee - Keynote Address
  Infocomm Security Seminar 2005, The Auditorium, Matrix Building, Biopolis, 22 February 2005

Related Links:

• SingCERT
  The official website for the Singapore Computer Emergency Response Team
  
  
• FASTEN UP!
  Infocomm Security Awareness portal for Internet users
  
  
• GOsafeonline.sg
  Cyber Security Awareness Alliance