PROMOTE COLLECTIVE
RESPONSIBILITY
The prevalence of ICT and the Internet has transformed the way
we work, play, live, learn and connect with one another. Just as
we lock our doors and keep our keys safe in the physical world,
we have a similar responsibility to stay safe in the cyber world.
Individuals now keep more of their friends’ and families’ personal
data than ever before on personal devices. The stakes are higher
for businesses as they are custodians of computerised data that
are vital to operations and impact customers’ lives. Cybersecurity
is a collective responsibility and a way of putting Total Defence
into action to keep Singapore safe. Everyone, whether individuals
or businesses, has a role in creating a safer cyberspace.
Stay informed
Recognising that businesses and
individuals can reduce cyber
incidents by taking basic measures,
the Government has taken steps to
educate the public on cybersecurity
since the first Infocomm Security
Masterplan was launched in 2005.
This needs to be a continuous effort
as “old” technology gets upgraded
with smart features. Today, 8 in 10
Singapore residents install anti-virus
software on their computers but only
3 in 10 do so on their smartphones².
CSA will keep the public updated
on new cybersecurity measures
to keep pace with technological
changes. We will continue existing
outreach programmes such as the
Cybersecurity Awareness Campaign
which started since 2011. We will
also broaden their reach across
age groups, and to include both
individuals and businesses. We will
leverage national security awareness
building platforms such as the Total
Defence and Let’s Stand Together
campaigns to raise appreciation of
the role of cybersecurity for a
strong and prepared nation.
We will expand the range of
resources on the GoSafeOnline
web portal and other critical
social media platforms.
Public education can be more
effective through collaborative
projects across the government,
industry and community. The
Inter-Ministry Cyber Wellness
Steering Committee brings
cyber-wellness messages to
youths and has reached more
than 245,000 participants
through 25 supported projects
since 2009. Another example is
the Cyber Security Awareness
Alliance, which brought together
government agencies, private
enterprises, and professional
associations to promote
the adoption of essential
cybersecurity practices. Since its
formation in 2008, the Alliance
has reached out to various
audiences through exhibitions,
clinics and talks.
"Having strong
security technology
is not enough […]
training employees
in cybersecurity
is critical. "
Mr Teo Siong Seng,
Singapore Business Federation
Chairman, 2015
National Security Conference 2015, In Conversation - How ready are Singapore Companies?
Make cybersecurity
a business priority
For sustained and sustainable
cybersecurity adoption, cyber risks
should be recognised and treated
as important business risks. Trade
Associations and Chambers (TACs)
play an important role in reaching
out to businesses.
Trade Associations and Chambers
(TACs) play an important role in
improving the cybersecurity of their
members’ business operations.
The Government will continue
engaging TACs to help their members
tap on grants and resources to adopt
cybersecurity measures and develop
cybersecurity capabilities. We will
also work with TACs to advocate the
Security-by-Design approach and
incorporate cybersecurity holistically
into business risk management.
Tap on government
cybersecurity expertise
Businesses may find it challenging
to keep pace with new cyber threats.
SingCERT, which was set up in 1997
to facilitate the detection, resolution
and prevention of cybersecurity
related incidents, will deepen its
threat discovery and analysis
capabilities to deal with the evolving
local cyber threat environment.
SingCERT will expand its capacity to
facilitate the sharing of cybersecurity
information with the business
community, while ensuring that
sensitive corporate and personal
data are protected. It will also
partner the industry and Institutes
of Higher Learning (IHLs) to support
cybersecurity resource centres for
businesses and individuals.
¹ The Singapore Government introduced Total Defence in 1984 as a concept to involve every Singaporean
in playing a part, individually and collectively, to build a strong, secure and cohesive nation. It involves all
Singaporeans in the following five aspects: military defence, civil defence, economic defence, psychological
defence and social defence.
² Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) Infocomm Usage by Households and Individuals Survey 2014
³ Ministry of Education (MOE) Press Release on 7th Call for Proposals on Cyber Wellness Projects
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