INTRODUCTION Singapore’s Cyber Operating Landscape Key Shifts in our Cyber Operating Environment The digital domain is one that is rapidly evolving. In the past five years, Singapore has observed four key shifts in our cyber operating environment: Disruptive Technologies Growing Cyber-Physical Risks Ubiquitous Digital Connectivity Increased Geopolitical Tensions in Cyberspace Looking ahead, there are several emerging We are entering an age where the digital and The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated Digital technologies are increasingly technologies that may disrupt current physical realms converge. Cyber disruptions digitalisation; businesses and individuals perceived as a key determinant in the approaches towards cybersecurity. can spill over to the physical domain with are increasingly dependent on the smooth distribution of power in the international real-world consequences. In 2021 alone, we running of digital infrastructure and services. system. The digital domain has thus become For example, edge computing, enabled by have seen the disruption of hospitals, oil This has vastly expanded the attack surface a new arena for geopolitical contestation. 5G, cloud computing, and ubiquitous access pipelines, and manufacturing facilities in for Singapore and Singaporeans, exposing States are in a race to develop first-mover to digital devices, will fundamentally change various countries because of cyberattacks. more vulnerabilities to be exploited. advantages over key digital technologies. a mindset shift, as we move away from Growing cyber-physical risks are not limited Cyber threat actors take advantage of this to perimeter defence towards a zero-trust to the industry; these risks are also creeping launch cyberattacks. Cyberattacks are not cybersecurity model. Quantum technologies into our everyday lives with the proliferation only growing in volume; they are also growing Singapore must remain steadfast in our will also disrupt the cryptographic methods of smart devices and internet-enabled in sophistication. commitment to an open, secure, stable, underpinning cybersecurity today. products in our homes. We will work with businesses and individuals cyberspace and actively work towards On the flip side, technologies such as We must therefore ensure our CIIs and so that they are equipped to mitigate and this vision, in order to navigate these artificial intelligence and quantum other important systems are well protected manage cybersecurity risks, so that they can geopolitical tensions. computing also present us with new ways and resilient. Existing policy and legislative digitalise safely and securely. to secure our digital assets. frameworks must also be fit-for-purpose to our network environment. This requires Technical standards-setting bodies are increasingly receiving political attention. accessible, peaceful, and interoperable address these risks. 7 The Singapore Cybersecurity Strategy 2021 8