Executive Summary

From the development of the integrated circuit, which gave rise to the computer and the evolution of the internet today, we have witnessed the way technology has transformed our way of life. Now, we are moving to the Internet-of-Things, where everything will be connected because of the presence of cheap and readily available sensors. To harness the potential of the information communication technology (ICT) to drive the economy and to simultaneously address the issues that Singapore is facing, such as providing healthcare for an increasingly aging population, meeting energy demand, and urban development, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has launched a Smart Nation Initiative for Singapore in November 2014. As we enjoy the increased benefits, we also become more and more dependent on ICT, therefore making us more vulnerable. Singapore is one of the countries in the Asia-Pacific region with the most advanced ICT; therefore it is no surprise that it is also facing the most cyber security challenges. As a small population with not enough critical mass, it is difficult for Singapore to defend against well-thought out cyberattacks. With the launch of the Smart Nation Initiative, Singapore has recognised the challenges in cyber space, established the Cyber Security Agency in April 2015 and released its Cybersecurity Strategy in October 2016. It is heading in the right direction to make the best out of its manpower constraints. This paper will examine the issues and challenges that Singapore is facing in cyber security at the strategic level and propose some policy recommendations.

About the Author

Cung Vu is a Visiting Senior Fellow at the Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University. Dr Vu is also an independent consultant, following his retirement from the US government. Prior to his retirement, he served as Associate Director at the Office of Naval Research Global in Singapore. He acted as a technical broker linking the Office of Naval Research (ONR), the Naval Research Enterprise with international scientific community. Dr. Vu also served as Chief Science and Technology Advisor at the National Maritime Intelligence-Integration Office (NMIO) where he advised the Director of NMIO on the implications of emerging technologies in the maritime domain. He fostered engagement and information sharing amongst the NMIO stakeholders (Federal, State, Local Government, Academia, Private sector, and Foreign Partners) focusing on S&T.  He is a chemical engineer with 35 years of experience in industries, academia and government. He received his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Monash University, Australia and his B.S. in Chemical Engineering with Honors from University of Sydney, Australia.