Singapore to Enhance Cyber Security with a Five Year National Cyber Security Masterplan 2018

Today, the government launched a five-year National Cyber Security Masterplan 2018 to secure Singapore’s cyber environment further. 

Developed through a multi-agency effort led by IDA under the guidance of the National Infocomm Security Committee (NISC), the master plan provides an overarching strategic direction to help governments and organisations strengthen resilience against cyber threats.

Announcing the launch at the Information Security Seminar 2013, Minister for Communications and Information Dr Yaacob Ibrahim said, “Adopting a collaborative approach across the public, private and people sectors, the Masterplan will enhance the security of Singapore’s critical infocomm infrastructure and address the security of businesses and individuals. This will create a truly robust infocomm ecosystem and improve our quality of life.”

The Masterplan will focus on three key areas to develop Singapore as a trusted and robust infocomm hub by 2018. First, it will enhance the security and resilience of critical infocomm infrastructure, which includes conducting new cross-sector exercises to improve the overall resilience of infrastructure and services. Second, efforts will be increased to promote infocomm security adoption among end-users and businesses by leveraging publicity channels and collaborating with industry and trade associations. The last key area is to grow Singapore’s pool of infocomm security experts through working with Institutes of Higher Learning and industry partners in training and developing more students and professionals in infocomm security.

The Masterplan succeeds both Infocomm Security Masterplan and Infocomm Security Masterplan 2, which were implemented from 2005 to 2012. These previous masterplans had put in place capabilities that enhanced situational awareness and risk mitigation through the setup of a Cyber-Watch Centre and Threat Analysis Centre. The rollout of the Secure and Resilient Internet Infrastructure Code of Practice resulted in Singapore being among the first countries for designated ISPs to adopt mandatory cyber security measures. The previous master plans also established the Cyber Security Awareness Alliance to generate infocomm security awareness, as well as the Association of Information Security Professionals to develop local infocomm professionals.

Mr Lim Chuan Poh, Chairman of NISC said, “The cyber security landscape is rapidly evolving and we must sustain and step up our efforts to meet the challenges posed by the increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. Over the next five years, the National Cyber Security Masterplan will guide our efforts to raise the capability and level of preparedness in the public, private and people sectors to better respond to and manage these cyber threats.”

Apart from the Masterplan launch, Singapore’s 3rd Annual Cyber Security Awareness Day was also commemorated today. Championed by the Cyber Security Awareness Alliance (Alliance) jointly led by the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore and the Singapore infocomm Technology Federation, the theme of this year’s nationwide call-to-action is “Security at Home and in the Workplace”. The Awareness Day continues to raise infocomm security awareness and remind everyone of the need for personal and workplace responsibility by adopting simple practices to secure their online identity, computers, mobile and wireless devices.

As part of the Alliance’s efforts to promote public awareness and adoption, a new mobile application will be launched by end 2013. The application will contain features such as password strength checker and alerts pertaining to infocomm security, threats and patches.

Please see the attachments for the following:

• Annex A: Factsheet on National Cyber Security Masterplan 2018

• Annex B: Factsheet on Cyber Security Awareness Day & New Mobile Application

ISSUED BY CORPORATE & MARKETING COMMUNICATION DIVISION

INFOCOMM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE

About Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore

The mission of the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) is to develop information technology and telecommunications within Singapore with a view to serving citizens of all ages and companies of all sizes. IDA does this by actively supporting the growth of innovative technology companies and start-ups in Singapore, working with leading global IT companies, and developing excellent information technology and telecommunications infrastructure, policies, and capabilities for Singapore. For more news and information, visit www.ida.gov.sg.

For media clarification

Poh Kiat TAN (Ms)
Manager, Corporate and Marketing Communication
Email: tan_poh_kiat@ida.gov.sg

Angie LOW (Ms)
Senior Manager, Corporate and Marketing Communication
Email: angie_low@ida.gov.sg