Singapore Takes Stand for Cyber Security At ASEAN
ASEAN Ministerial Conference on Cybersecurity has been started with Singapore’s take on the cyber-threat and digital security.
With the aim to strengthen digital security, the first ASEAN Ministerial Conference on Cybersecurity has started in Singapore on 11 October, 2016. The conference would act as the platform for the ASEAN nations to share their views, plans and strategy to tackle cyber threats.
Singapore has become the host of the inaugural ASEAN Ministerial Conference on Cybersecurity. The hosting nation has come up with various proposals and initiatives to consolidate the cyber security.
Dr. Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister for Communications and Information & Minister-in-Charge of Cybersecurity, put forward Singapore’s proposals in three categories to serve the motive of the conference.
To Create a Cyber Capacity Building:
The first step would be to foster the cyber capacity building as ASEAN member nations and Dialogue partners have been cooperative at this front. Dr. Yaacob Ibrahim said, “Singapore recognises that ASEAN Member States and Dialogue Partners have already been working closely on many initiatives dealing with incident response, confidence building and technical cyber capacity building. For instance, the annual ASEAN CERT Incident Drill (ACID) helps CERTS across ASEAN to test and refine their cooperation and incident handling procedures.”
Further, he announced the launching of S$10 million ASEAN Cyber Capacity Programme (ACCP) in April 2017 to enhance the cyber capacities across ASEAN Member nations. The program will be great aid to frame cyber policy, legislation, strategy development and incident response. The trainers for the program will be shortlisted from the INTERPOL Global Centre for Innovation in Singapore, ASEAN Dialogue Partners, and academics from institutes, the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore and other relating bodies.
To Create a Safer Cyber Environment along with Cyberspace Awareness:
To protect the common space between ASEAN’s borders and jurisdictions from cybercriminals, Singapore expressed its dedications to work on the beyond border cyber policy along with international law enforcement. Therefore, Singapore has decided to support CyberGreen, a global initiative to spread awareness of the potential vulnerabilities and the cyber health status of a country. In addition to that, CyberGreen will also let the member nations to know the threats they are posing to others.
Facilitating Exchanges on Cyber Norms:
Singapore emphasized on the regional cyber standards to ensure the safety and security of regional and international cyberspace. Besides, these norms would be helpful for the stability and economic progress of the ASEAN nations, as expressed by the city-state.
“Cyber capacity building, cyberspace awareness and cyber norms are Singapore’s three suggestions to ASEAN for enhancing cybersecurity cooperation. With consensus, agreement and cooperation, we can make cyberspace a safer and secure place for all,” Dr. Yaacob closed the speech with these words.
