Call for recalibrating attitude to cyber security amid scam scourge

Trade-off essential between convenience in digital space and added security: CSA chief

- Andrew Wong

Society will have to recalibrate its attitude towards cyber security in order to build trust in the digital ecosystem, says the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA).

This comes as criminal methods evolve continuously to undermine trust in the digital space, CSA chief executive David Koh said.

On the second day of the Global Anti-Scam Summit Asia 2024 at Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre, he said a trade-off is essential between the convenience that society has become used to in their digital experiences and the added layers of security.

He also reiterated that scams continue to plague the global economy. Worldwide, total losses to scams were more than $1 trillion in 2023, according to the Global Anti-Scam Alliance.

Speaking to participants on the sidelines of the two-day summit on Oct 22, Mr Koh admitted that it is impossible to achieve 100 per cent security online.

He said: "From a cyber-security perspective, if you want a secure computer, leave it in the box. The moment you take it out, you are taking risks. But if you leave it in the box, it's got zero usability."