S'pore Faces Similar Vulnerabilities as Other Nations, Says Cyber Security Chief

Threat Levels Have Heightened Amid Geopolitical Rivalries: David Koh

- Krist Boo

Cyber-threat levels have heightened amid geopolitical rivalries, with some states trying to coerce countries such as Singapore into taking or refraining from certain actions.

Singapore's Cyber Security Agency's (CSA) chief executive David Koh warns that in this realm, the Republic's vulnerabilities are no different from those of any other nation.

"Train systems can be disrupted, power plants, water systems. It will move to a new dimension, where you will encounter real-world harms that will affect all of us," he said.

Mr Koh, who is also the country's first Commissioner of Cybersecurity, holds legal authority to investigate cyber threats and incidents, ensuring the continuity of essential services during cyber attacks.

"When we first started, the majority of threats were straightforward—web face defacements, DDoS (distributed denial of service) attacks. They were a bit more like digital graffiti," said the former defence specialist in the armed forces, who has been CSA's chief executive since its founding 10 years ago. July 18 marks its 10th anniversary.

These threats have grown in complexity as the economy has become more interconnected through the use of digital services. That means the agency has had to extend its umbrella, working with the private sector, to cover the man in the street.