SINGAPORE, Oct 11 — To ramp up cybersecurity capabilities in the Association of South-east Asian Nations (Asean), Singapore will fund a S$10million (RM30 million) Asean Cyber Capacity programme.
It will pay for resources, expertise and training in each member state. For instance, it will deepen technical skills and response to cyber incidents. More broadly, it can also go towards work in formulating cybersecurity strategies.
Minister for Communications and Information Dr Yaacob Ibrahim made the announcement at the Asean Ministerial Conference on Cybersecurity held today, a day after Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong launched Singapore’s Cybersecurity Strategy — of which strengthening cooperation within Asean to fight cyber threats is an important pillar.
“Cyberspace is borderless and connects Asean beyond our geographical proximity as a region. In fact, the malicious actors deliberately target the gaps between our borders and jurisdictions to exploit and target us. We need to work together, beyond our borders, to effectively secure this common space,” said Dr Yaacob.
He also called for member states to cooperate more closely in international law enforcement, such as by sending more Asean law enforcement officers to partner Interpol in more joint operations against cyber criminals.
Announcing that Singapore will sponsor a global initiative called Cyber Green, which uses indicators to assess how healthy a country’s cyber health is, Dr Yaacob said Asean member states will be able to access Cyber Green through Singapore for free.
The Asean Ministerial Conference on Cybersecurity is part of the three-day Singapore International Cyber Week taking place this week. — TODAY
