Cyber Security Agency Explained

Jurisdiction:Government of Singapore
Headquarters:5 Maxwell Road, #03-00, Tower Block, MND Complex, Singapore 069110
Minister1 Name:Josephine Teo
Minister1 Pfo:
(Minister In Charge for Cyber Security)
Minister of Digital Development and Information and Second Minister for Home Affairs
Chief1 Name:David Koh
Chief1 Position:
Commissioner of Cybersecurity and Chief Executive
Parent Agency:Prime Minister's Office (de jure)
Ministry of Digital Development and Information (de facto)
Agency Id:T15GA0002C
Agency Name:Cyber Security Agency of Singapore

The Cyber Security Agency (CSA) is a government agency under the Prime Minister's Office, but is managed by the Ministry of Digital Development and Information of the Government of Singapore. It provides centralised oversight of national cyber security functions and works with sector leads to protect Singapore's Critical Information Infrastructure (CII), such as the energy and banking sectors.[1] [2] Formed on 1 April 2015, the agency also engages with various industries and stakeholders to heighten cyber security awareness as well as to ensure the development of Singapore's cyber security. It is headed by the Commissioner of Cybersecurity, David Koh.[3] [4] [5] [6] [7]

History and overview

The Cyber Security Agency took over the functions previously carried out by the Singapore Infocomm Technology Security Authority (SITSA), under the Ministry of Home Affairs. SITSA was set up in 2009 as the national specialist authority overseeing operational IT security.

The CSA also took over some roles undertaken by the then-Infocomm Development of Authority (IDA) such as the Singapore Cyber Emergency Response Team (SingCERT), which facilitates the detection, resolution and prevention of security-related incidents on the Internet.

The agency builds upon the government's cyber security capabilities, which include strategy and policy development, cyber security operations, industry development and outreach; as well as public communications and engagement.

It has organised events such as the Singapore International Cyber Week (SICW) in 2016, with over 5,000 attendees from close to 50 countries. The SICW also saw the launch of Singapore's Cybersecurity Strategy.[8]

In 2017, the second edition of the SICW was held from 18 to 21 September 2017. It also hosted the 2nd ASEAN Ministerial Conference on Cybersecurity.[9]

Singapore's Cybersecurity Strategy

In October 2016, then-Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong launched Singapore's Cybersecurity Strategy with the aim to create a resilient and trusted cyber environment for Singapore. Four pillars underpinned the strategy:

Singapore's revised goals were outlined in the Singapore Cybersecurity Strategy 2021.[10] As a result, Singapore's cybersecurity plan, which was originally implemented in 2016, was reviewed and updated.

Cutting off internet access

In 2016, as part of Singapore's Cybersecurity Strategy, it was announced that internet access of civil servants' work stations will be cut-off. David Koh, chief executive of the then-newly formed agency, said officials realised there was too much data to secure and "there is no way to secure this because the attack surface is like a building with a zillion windows, doors, fire escapes".[11]

Security experts commented that the move may only raise the defense against cyber attacks slightly but risk damaging the productivity of civil servants and those working at more than four dozen statutory boards, and cutting them off from the people they serve.[11]

Singapore's Cybersecurity Programmes

Singapore Cyber Security Agency has launched various programmes to support its strategy, including:[12]

Singapore’s Cyber Security Agency launched a new cyber security certification scheme recognizing organisations with good cyber security practices at the end of March 2022. [19] [20] [21] [22]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Singapore's Cybersecurity Act to be reviewed, could include non-critical information infrastructure . 4 March 2022 .
  2. Web site: Budget debate: Widely used services, apps soon to comply with govt cyber-security rules | The Straits Times. Hermes. Auto. 4 March 2022. www.straitstimes.com.
  3. Web site: Senior leaders have key role in cyber security: Commissioner . The Straits Times . 8 July 2020 . en . 15 November 2018.
  4. News: Lin. Cheryl. Cabinet reshuffle: Josephine Teo to head Smart Nation Initiative; new roles for political office holders. CNA. 28 May 2021. 23 April 2021. en.
  5. Web site: Singapore Encouraging Women to Work in Cybersecurity Industry - OpenGov Asia. 25 March 2022.
  6. Web site: SG Cyber Talent Development Fund to launch this month: MCI Minister Josephine Teo . 14 January 2022 .
  7. Web site: Singapore government patching systems after alert on 'critical' Log4j software vulnerability. CNA.
  8. News: Inaugural Singapore International Cyber Week 2016 . 16 February 2024 . www.nas.gov.sg.
  9. Web site: Joint Call on Acting Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean by Participants of the 2nd ASEAN Ministerial Conference on Cybersecurity. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20220105071212/https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/data/data/pdfdoc/20170919015/Joint%20Call%20on%20Acting%20Prime%20Minister%20Teo%20Chee%20Hean%20by%20Participants%20of%20the%202nd%20ASEAN%20Ministerial%20Conference%20on%20Cybersecurity.pdf . 5 January 2022 .
  10. Web site: The Singapore Cybersecurity Strategy 2021. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20211005135241/https://www.csa.gov.sg/News/Publications/singapore-cybersecurity-strategy-2021 . 5 October 2021 .
  11. News: 24 August 2016 . Singapore to cut off public servants from the internet . The Guardian . www.theguardian.com.
  12. Web site: Programs. 23 October 2021. 23 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211023051018/https://www.csa.gov.sg/Programmes/csa-common-criteria/about. dead.
  13. Web site: Cybersecurity Labelling Scheme (CLS). live. https://web.archive.org/web/20201007081315/https://www.csa.gov.sg/programmes/cybersecurity-labelling/about-cls . 7 October 2020 .
  14. News: Parliament: Singapore to start first cyber-security start-up hub. The Straits Times.
  15. Web site: SG Cyber Talent. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200810110430/https://www.csa.gov.sg/programmes/sgcybertalent/about . 10 August 2020 .
  16. Web site: SG Cyber Women. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200928100820/https://www.csa.gov.sg/programmes/sgcybertalent/sgcyberwomen . 28 September 2020 .
  17. News: SG Cyber Women X ICE71: Start-up Women in Cybersecurity.
  18. Web site: SG Cyber Safe Programme. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20211020063535/https://www.csa.gov.sg/Programmes/sgcybersafe/about . 20 October 2021 .
  19. Web site: Singapore rolls out cyber security certification scheme. ComputerWeekly.com.
  20. Web site: Singapore Introduces Cybersecurity Certification Programme . April 2022 .
  21. Web site: Singaporean cybersecurity agency launches certification scheme for businesses. 5 April 2022. The Daily Swig | Cybersecurity news and views.
  22. News: Benefits of CSA Cyber Essentials Certification in Singapore . 16 February 2024 . Oryon . 15 January 2024.