From fighting piracy to cyber security
Cyber Security
- Singapore’s journey towards smart nation
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019 commemorates 200 years since Sir Stamford Raffles’s landing on Singapore, the historic event many Singaporeans fondly associate with his sighting of a lion and the naming of the island as “The Lion City” or Singapura. Travel accounts and early maps also mentioned “Barxingapara” (1502), “Sinca Pora” (1607), Sincapura” (1690), reflecting the shifting references - from a gateway, a strait, to a settlement. The varying etymology stemmed from the significance of Singapore’s waterways as a maritime artery in the region, very much vulnerable to pirate attacks, political and military incursions. The Anglo-Dutch Treaty in 1824 settled the long-running territorial and trade disputes
30 | Australian Cyber Security Magazine
in South East Asia between then maritime superpowers Great Britain and the Netherlands. Tackling the threats of pirates, who were “absolutely swarming” (according to historic records) and highly organized, to kidnap, raid, and plunder, incurred considerably more time and efforts. Choosing a route was a security decision. Today, this strategic location that connects the Indian Ocean to the South China Sea is now an international financial, shipping and aviation hub, housing critical systems that transcend national borders, such as global payment systems, port operations systems and air-traffic control systems.**
By Jane Lo Correspondent
**Singapore’s Cyber Security Strategy “Just as the pioneers faced danger and adversity on the seas to bring wealth and prosperity to this corner of the world, so shall we continue that journey in cyberspace,” said David Koh (Commissioner of Cybersecurity and Chief Executive Cyber Security Agency of Singapore) in his Welcome message to the 5th edition of the Singapore International Cyber week. Today, Cyber is the new frontier and “like the pirates of old, there are those who would exploit cyberspace for malicious purposes,” he said. “Cities around the world have ushered in the era of digital transformation. Singapore is no different, as we work towards our vision of a Smart Nation,” he added.
