The Ministry of Communications and Information and the Ministry of Defence launched Digital Defence as Singapore’s sixth pillar of Total Defence on Friday 15 February.
The launch was officiated by Minister for Communications and Information and Minister-in-Charge of Cybersecurity Mr S Iswaran, who called on Singaporeans to take steps to be secure, alert and responsible online, and come together as a nation to keep Singapore safe and secure, in both the real and virtual worlds.
The Total Defence Day Commemoration Event was also attended by Senior Minister of State for Defence Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman and Senior Minister of State for Communications and Information Ms Sim Ann at the Fort Canning Green.
Announcing the launch of Digital Defence, Mr S Iswaran said, “We are an open and connected city-state. Our very survival depends on having the infrastructure for global connectivity. The same connectivity can also render us vulnerable to threats from the digital domain. Malicious cyberattacks can debilitate entire systems, disrupt people’s daily lives, and even lead to injury and death.
Hostile information campaigns and the spread of falsehoods can sow seeds of distrust in our community and weaken social cohesion. We must arm ourselves with new instincts and skills to defend ourselves against these new threats in the digital age.”
Strengthening the digital readiness of all Singaporeans
Mr S Iswaran added, “Our vision is for Singapore to be a vibrant Smart Nation. To that end, we are creating opportunities in the Digital Economy for our businesses and our people. We are transforming into a Digital Government to deliver better services to citizens and companies.
We are also strengthening the Digital Readiness of Singaporeans, so that all of us can share in the benefits and opportunities afforded by technology. Whether we succeed or fail in this important endeavour will depend critically on whether we also have a strong Digital Defence.”
Digital defence Tagline – “Be Secure, Alert, and Responsible Online”
The Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI) and the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) also launched the new Digital Defence campaign logo and the tagline “Be Secure, Alert, and Responsible Online”.
The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) launched “Lab on Wheels’, a new Cyber Security themed experience. Starting from February 2019, this roving bus will visit schools, communities, and allow visitors to role-play as interns in Critical Infrastructure Companies. Through a series of challenges, visitors can also learn about how having strong passwords and encryption can enhance personal digital defences. Visitors can also experience how vulnerable they are to hackers plotting cyber-attacks and identity thefts.
Other upcoming public education initiatives on Digital Defence include a “Prove It!” Contest organised by the National Library Board (NLB) and Nexus for secondary school students, where participants will get to apply research, critical thinking and fact checking skills to various challenges.
Total Defence to protect Singapore in both real and virtual worlds
Mr Iswaran concluded his speech by saying “With new threats looming, it is timely and apt that we augment Total Defence for a digital era by including Digital Defence. We must strengthen our collective resolve and come together as a nation to strengthen our Digital Defence, to keep Singapore safe and secure, in both the real and virtual worlds.”