Abstract
This chapter uses a historical perspective to examine the development trajectory of e-government in Singapore, the trends and patterns of cybercrimes and cyber-attacks, and the measures taken by the government to combat cybercrimes and cyber-attacks. It shows that the government has adopted a proactive, holistic, and cooperative approach to cybersecurity in order to tackle the ever-increasing cybersecurity challenges. It has regularly reviewed and improved cybersecurity measures to ensure their effectiveness and strengthened its defense capabilities over time through coordinating national efforts with public and private sectors and cooperating with regional and international counterparts. The chase for a perfect cybersecurity system or strategy is both impossible and unnecessary. However, it is important and necessary to establish a cybersecurity system or formulate a cybersecurity strategy that can monitor, detect, respond to, recover from, and prevent cyber-attacks in a timely manner, and make the nation stronger, safer, and more secure.
TopThe Development Trajectory Of E-Government In Singapore
Singapore became an independent sovereign state on 9 August 1965. At that time, Singapore was a third-world nation with no natural resources, limited capital and poor infrastructure. In order to develop the economy, the government adopted an export-led industrialization strategy to attract foreign investment in labour-intensive manufacturing (Van Dijck & Verbruggen, 1987, p.406). In the late 1970s, the government realized that IT was a key to improve its economic competitiveness. It restructured manufacturing production towards capital, technology and skill-intensive activities (Van Dijck & Verbruggen, 1987, p.406). Since 1980, the government has promoted infocomm development through a series of national Inforcomm Plans and electronic government (e-government) Masterplans so as to facilitate socio-economic development and increase efficiency in government agencies.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Computer Misuse Act: A legislation that is enacted to specifically investigate, prosecute and adjudicate cybercrime in Singapore.
Singapore Computer Emergency Response Team: It is a group of experts that detects, resolves, and prevents security-related incidents on the internet.
Cyber Security Agency of Singapore: A national agency to oversee cybersecurity strategy and agencies’ cybersecurity operations, and enhance public awareness of cybersecurity through education and outreach.
Critical Information Infrastructure: Networks or information and communications systems that deliver essential services such as electricity, telecommunications and transportation.
Smart Nation: An initiative launched by the Singaporean government in 2014 to solve problems, create more opportunities and make society more connected through the extensive use of information technology.
Infocomm Security Masterplan: A strategic roadmap for strengthening cybersecurity in Singapore.
SingPass: A security measure that is used in Singapore for verification of identity when people have online transaction with government agencies.