The Singapore government took cyber threats into serious consideration and it started early a few years ago. They built cybersecurity plans to ensure Singapore’s digital environment safely, safeguard Singapore against the cyber threats, and strengthen public sector cybersecurity capabilities by composing the masterplan and organizations [231], [Figure 3.6].
Figure 3.6: List of Singapore’s cybersecurity plans during a decade Moreover, Singapore’s cybersecurity strategies in 2016 focused on 4 pillars and its
2005
ílnfoconıırn Security Ivlasterplan (ISMP) - (2ÜÜŠ-EÜÜT]
2ÜÜE
ílnfocomm Security Masterplan (ISMP) - (EÜÜS-20 12)
ÉÜÜ9
Singapore Infocorru'n Technology Security Authority (SITSA)
2013
National Cyber Security Masterplan (NCSM2Ü1S]
+
National Cyber security RSLD (NCR) Program
2014
í National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC]
2015
Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA)
+
Cybercrinıe Command
21316
í National Cyber Crime Action Plan (NCAP) ]
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functions such as: building resilient infrastructure, creating safer cyberspace, developing a vibrant cybersecurity ecosystem, and strengthening international partnerships [Table 3.4], [231]. After the remarkable attack in breaching the networks of the National University of Singapore and Nanyang Technological University in April of 2017. It stole government data which contained defense projects, foreign affairs, and transport sector information. As a result, in July 2017, the cybersecurity Bill was announced to the public with the purpose to create a framework for critical information security (CII); set up a framework for sharing of cybersecurity information with and by CSA; and support cybersecurity agency of Singapore (CSA) and control the cybersecurity threats [232], [233]. Singapore government intends to build this country to be a Smart Nation by 2020; therefore, in 2018 Singapore government established new Omnibus cybersecurity bill with new roles to ensure security incidents will be informed to the government within hours; and security incidents response plan should be in place.
Table 3.4: Singapore‘s cybersecurity pillars and its functions
Pillars Key points
Building a resilient infrastructure
- Enhancing CII protection program to create robust and systematic cyber risk management for all critical sectors
- Combining multi-sector cybersecurity exercises
- Expanding national resources like the National Cyber Incident Response Team (NCIRT), national cybersecurity Center (NCSC), creating cybersecurity Act for the cyber agency of Singapore (CSA)
- Increasing the efforts to secure government systems, networks, citizens and official data.
- Focusing on five sectors such as emergency services, e-government, banking and finance, utilities, and transport and healthcare [234]
Creating safer cyberspace
- Creating National Cybercrime Action Plan (prevention, quick and strong response to incidents, effective laws and close partnership [234]) to deal with the threat of cybercrime for the government
- Working with global institutions, other governments, industry partners and Internet Service Provider to analyze and diminish malicious traffic on IT infrastructure.
- Enhancing the understanding of cybersecurity issues and developing the
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Pillars Key points
adoption of good practices in business and communities associations
Developing a vibrant cybersecurity ecosystem
- Government cooperates with industry partners, and Institution of Higher Learning (IHLs) to build a cybersecurity workforce with high tech skills.
- Developing strong companies and encouraging local start-ups
- Building strong international cooperation in cybersecurity, especially ASEAN to identify transnational cybersecurity and cybercrime concerns - Building cyber capacity initiatives and exchanging cyber norms and legislation
International cooperation
Beside the cooperation with ASEAN countries, Singapore expanded the cooperation with other organizations such as France, UK, India, Netherland, and USA [Table 3.5].
Table 3.5: Summarizing the international cooperation between Singapore with the other organizations [235]
Collaboration between Singapore and other organizations
Singapore
ASEAN
- Participated in TELMIN, Japan annual engagement, Asia Pacific CERT (APCERT), FIRST (Forum of Incident response and security team) and Meridian process
France - Agence Nationale de la Sécurité des Système d’ Information
(ANSSI)
- Signed MOU (Memorandum of Understanding)
- Sharing best practices and efforts to develop cybersecurity expertise United Kingdom
- Signed an MOU on cybersecurity cooperation with the cabinet office - Joining in cyber research and development
India
- Signed an MOU with the department of electronics and information technology of India in 2015 - Focusing on five areas: a formal framework for professional dialogue, operational readiness and response, cyber security technology and research in smart
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Collaboration between Singapore and other organizations
Singapore
technologies, exchanging of best practices, and human resource development exchanges
Netherland
- Signed an MOU with national cybersecurity center (NCSC) in 2016 - Sharing cybersecurity best practices and strategies to protect CII and access to training and workshops
USA
- Signed an MOU with National protection and programs directorate (NPPD) at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in 2016
- Sharing best practices on CII and cybersecurity trends
- Building cyber capacity, increasing cybersecurity awareness
In conclusion, Singapore is a developed country and ASEAN’s dragon in the international center for trading, finance, and logistics. It is also one of the pioneer nations to realize the advantages of technology to develop itself and the impact of cybersecurity in protecting their critical information infrastructure and cyberspace in order to combat towards cyber threats, cyber-attacks, and cybercrime. Regarding Singapore cybersecurity strategy, it built up the vision, purposes, and priorities in cybersecurity for Government, businesses, individuals and the community to ensure the safety of cyberspace. In addition, with strong cooperation with international nations or organizations, it helps Singapore immediately proactive approach and response to cyber incidents or attacks.