MCI (P) 068/04/2021
DARK SIDE – CATCH ME IF YOU CAN 02 Who is Responsible for Your Privacy? 04 What You Should Know About the Dark Web 06 Is Tech Friend or Foe?
08 Ng Kuo Pin Explains How Tech Makes Extraordinary Happen 10 Ngiam Siew Ying Shares How Tech is Transforming Public Healthcare
Issue
01 2022
Contents Vision
EDITOR’S MESSAGE
POWER BOOST
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To be the leading infocomm and digital media professional society in Singapore
Tech: Inherently Good Or Intentionally Bad?
Where Should Humanity Start and Tech Stop to Do Good?
THE BIG IDEA
#LATEST@SCS
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Who is Responsible for Your Privacy?
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SCS Welcomes New Executive Council
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What You Should Know About the Dark Web
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SCS Fellowship Conferred on 11 Outstanding Members
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Is Tech Friend or Foe?
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To lead and contribute to the vibrancy and growth of Singapore’s infocomm and digital media industry
At a Glance: SCS Communities of Practice
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Highlights from the Cloud Conference 2022
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Add Value
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To add value to the infocomm and digital media professional’s career and personal development
Ng Kuo Pin Explains How Tech Makes Extraordinary Happen
See What SCS Members Have to Say About Work in the COVID Resilient Age
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Ngiam Siew Ying Shares How Tech is Transforming Public Healthcare
Mission Lead the Way
SPOTLIGHT
GEEK SPEAK 24
Be the Voice To engage and be the voice of the infocomm and digital media community
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Should Tech Decide Who to Hire or Fire?
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The Magazine of the Singapore Computer Society
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FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK
9:41 AM
Is Tech Inherently Good or Intentionally Bad?
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f technology was important before, it became indispensable during the pandemic. It kept businesses running and school lessons going. But the recent spate of SMS phishing scams had sparked conversations around the dark side of tech. And at the heart of it, who should be held accountable for its darkness?
By now, it should be obvious that tech can be our worst enemy. Fortunately, we have companies like NCS that go all out to make tech our strongest ally. Under Mr Ng Kuo Pin’s astute leadership, we can expect that tech is not only harnessed to do good, but also make the extraordinary happen.
Is it the companies whose systems were exploited? Consumers who fell for the scams? Or the regulatory bodies? Basing on events in recent times, companies and consumers bear the highest costs. Perhaps, the bigger lessons here are – prevention is better than recovery, and everyone plays a part.
And let’s not also forget Ms Ngiam Siew Ying’s team at IHiS. Their passion to do right by our health data and their commitment to digitally transform our public healthcare from a reactive to a preventive one are definitely inspiring.
Companies need sound data protection policies, societies should set clear data privacy regulations, and consumers must learn to watch out for themselves. Truth is – your identity can be stolen easily when your birthplace, birthday, and selfies are in the public domain. Before we get too suspicious of tech, however, we will do well to remember that – it is really the human who builds the tech that decides its ethicality. Similarly, we associate the dark web as a place where evildoers lurk. But it is really only as dark as its users’ intent.
EDITOR Tan Teng Cheong CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Raju Chellam Grace Chng Vladyslav Koshelyev Marvin Tan EDITORIAL SUPPORT Claudia Lim
ADVERTISING SALES For ad sales enquiries, email scs.secretariat@scs.org.sg MAGAZINE DISTRIBUTION SCS members may manage mailing preference or opt out of physical mailing via Member Portal. All magazine issues are available on www.scs.org.sg/ media/scs-magazine. EDITORIAL & DESIGN Lancer Design Pte Ltd
I had doubts about the neutrality of tech before working on this issue, but I am encouraged by my fellow professionals’ resolve to do right by tech and the community. Together, I am confident we can triumph evil with good. Happy reading!
TAN TENG CHEONG Editor Fellow, SCS tan.teng.cheong@scs.org.sg
FEEDBACK We value your feedback for this magazine. Simply email scs.secretariat@scs.org.sg with your comments to help us produce an even more interesting and relevant magazine for you in subsequent issues. You are welcome to submit articles for inclusion consideration. For advertising enquiries, please call 6226 2567 or email scs.secretariat@scs.org.sg. The IT Society is the official publication of the Singapore Computer Society. Any part of this publication may be reproduced as long as credit is given to the publisher, Singapore Computer Society. All views expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Society.
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THE BIG IDEA
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THE IT SOCIETY / Issue 01/2022
Who Should Pick Up the Tab for Privacy?
RAJU CHELLAM SCS Fellow Chief Editor, AI Ethics & Governance Body of Knowledge Vice-President, SCS Cloud Computing Chapter
In 2021, about 50 million US consumers fell victim to identity theft. While traditional identity fraud accounted for about US$13 billion of the total US$56 billion losses, the bulk (or US$43 billion) was due to criminals phishing to steal personally identifiable information (PII) via robocalls and emails.1
Let’s start with a privacy parable. A factory had a power outage that ground the manufacturing line to a halt during the night shift. The news reached the CEO, who called the plant on the landline without identifying himself. “What’s wrong with the power?” he demanded. “If we knew what’s wrong, we’d have fixed it,” the factory worker who picked up the call replied. “Find out what’s wrong and fix it asap,” the CEO said. “Who are you to tell me what to do?” the factory worker snapped at the CEO. “Do you know who I am?” the CEO shouted. “I’m your CEO.” “Do you know who I am?” the worker asked. “No.” “Phew! Thank God!” the worker said and hung up. If the story above made you smile – great! Because the following statistics are about to make you shudder.
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2021 Identity Fraud Study by Javelin Strategy & Research.
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loser to home, victims in Singapore have lost over S$965 million since 20162. In one written response to a parliamentary question on scams, Home Affairs and Law Minister K Shanmugam revealed that scammers pocketed a record S$268.4 million in 2020 – nearly triple the S$89.7 million in 2016. If that wasn’t sobering enough, of the 7,400 scam reports Police Anti-Scam Centre received in the first six months of 2020, the authorities recovered only S$66 million of the over S$201.7 million. GOVERNMENTS – WITH DATA PRIVACY REGULATIONS Thanks to these proliferating breaches, data privacy is now on everyone’s mind. Consumers’ demand for privacy and control of their data have led governments to implement the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) in Singapore, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in Europe, and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) in California, US. Many others are following suit. It is expected that by 2023, 65% of the world’s population will have personal data covered under current privacy regulations, up from 10% in 2020.3 Mandating that end user consent be valid, freely given, specific, informed and active, the GDPR which came into effect across the European Union (EU) states in May 2018 became a model for national laws outside the EU, including Chile, Japan, Brazil, South Korea, Argentina and Kenya. In ASEAN, Malaysia was among the first countries to initiate the PDPA in 2010; it was passed in November 2013 to protect individuals’ PII in commercial transactions. The penalty for non-compliance ranges from RM100,000 to RM500,000 and up to three years’ imprisonment. Singapore’s PDPA Act 2012 came into effect in July 2014 and was updated in
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November 2020. Singapore residents can register their local phone numbers with the Do Not Call Registry to opt-out of receiving unwanted telemarketing messages. Organisations that breach PDPA regulations may be fined up to S$1 million and suffer reputation damage. COMPANIES – WITH CUSTOMER DATA PROTECTION POLICIES Unsurprisingly, the market for data privacy management software is also soaring. Sales jumped 46% in 2020 over 2019. IDC estimates that privacy management software sales will reach US$2.3 billion in 2025, double 2020 revenues, at an annual growth rate of 14.3% during the period. The paradox? Despite data privacy regulations becoming stricter, COVID-19 has led to a data generation and consumption surge with employees working from home. “Data visibility continues to be a blind spot for many organisations,” says Ryan O’Leary, IDC’s research manager for privacy. “There is a growing demand for automated data discovery and classification tools that scan for sensitive data across both cloud and on-premise environments to provide that single source of data truth. Solving the challenge of patchwork enterprise infrastructure and automation is the golden ticket in data privacy.” CONSUMERS – BY WATCHING OUT FOR THEMSELVES Are consumers willing to pay the price for privacy? About 10% of internet users worldwide (and 30% in the US) buy and deploy ad-blocking software to prevent companies from tracking online activity. About 87% of survey respondents told McKinsey that they would not do business with companies with lax data security practices – and 71% would stop doing business with a company if it gave away sensitive data without permission.
WHY DO COMPANIES FEAR THE GENERAL DATA PROTECTION REGULATION (GDPR)? In July 2019, the British Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) issued an intent to fine British Airways (BA) a record £183 million (1.5% of turnover) for lax security arrangements following a breach that affected 380,000 transactions. Fortunately, after due consideration given to BA’s representation and the economic impact of COVID-19 on its business, BA’s fine was reduced to £20 million. 2 3
Based on checks by The Straits Times. Findings presented by Gartner during Gartner Security & Risk Management Summit 2020 on 14 September 2020.
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Indeed. The scale of breaches is staggering. “Breaches at several corporations exposed hundreds of millions of records. The stakes are high – even consumers who were not directly affected by these breaches paid attention to the way companies responded to them,” McKinsey notes. “Because stakes are so high – and awareness is growing – the way companies handle consumer data and privacy can become a point of differentiation and even a source of competitive business advantage.” THE TECH INDUSTRY – WITH STRONG PRIVACY FRAMEWORKS So, can data be shared legally? Yes. In September 2021, Credence Lab launched the Data Trust Rating System (DTRS), developed by a consortium comprising tech giants like IBM and Alibaba Group. “Companies certified with the Credence DTRS demonstrate accountability in handling personal data, assure regulators of their compliance to legislation, and offer business partners confidence in exchanging or receiving data,” says Philip Heah, CEO of Credence Lab. Regionally, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) formulated the CrossBorder Privacy Rules (CBPR) in 2005 and updated them in 2015. “The CBPR benefits consumers and business by ensuring that regulatory differences do not block businesses’ ability to deliver innovative products and services,” APEC states. “Developed by all 21 APEC economies, an APEC economy must demonstrate that it can enforce compliance with the CBPR system’s requirements before joining.” THE BOTTOM LINE The only way you can protect your digital privacy is if you go off grid, become a digital nomad and stop using all electronic equipment. Even then, you might not be spared. The other day my buddy complained to me. “My daughter thinks I don’t respect her privacy.” “Why do you think so, bro?” I asked. “She wrote such insulting things about me,” he whined. “How do you know that?” I asked. “Did she tell you?” “No. I secretly read her diary that she keeps locked up in her drawer.”
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THE BIG IDEA
THE IT SOCIETY / Issue 01/2022
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The Dark Web: Two Truths and Two Myths
In 2019, famous ex-fraudster Frank Abagnale Jr. claimed that what he did in his heyday would have been 4,000 times easier today with the internet1. Despite law enforcement agencies pulling out the big guns these days to look for cyber criminals – there exists a hidden corner of the web where drug markets operate and weapons go on sale. What is the Dark Web – and can you find them all? 1
https://www.techrepublic.com/article/famous-con-man-frank-abagnale-crime-is-4000-times-easier-today
MARVIN TAN Member, SCS Senior Vice-President, GIC
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ndeed, we see scammers on the rise on social media and hate crimes perpetrating through the internet. This is despite governments constantly on the move trying to monitor what goes on in the digital world. So where do people go to avoid being caught? That would be the Dark Web.
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But before we conclude that the Dark Web is truly dark, how about putting some of these conceptions to test and dispel the myths? An extremely encrypted part of the internet, the Dark Web is accessed with the help of a special browser – Tor. This browser allows you to go anywhere without revealing your location or identity – making it impossible to regulate or censor what goes on inside. Users include anyone who wants to hide away from the authorities or stay secretive. MYTH: THE DARK WEB IS ALWAYS DARK. No one really knows who turned the Dark Web dark, but Tor was inadvertently created by US Navy researchers trying to create a browser that allowed intelligence to be exchanged safely in the 1990s. Tor was eventually released as open source, picked up by legitimate users, won lots of awards – and the rest is history. At some point, there was even an ironical situation where a federal organisation was funding Tor’s research while the FBI was trying to crack the browser. Currently, it is being used by millions of people – for some of the worst things a person can dream of as well as some of the most valuable things (e.g. privacy, freedom of speech) to society. Of course, there are also the ones in-between such as human activities nets, whistleblowers and organisations trying to stay away from state scrutiny. TRUTH: THE DARK WEB IS AN EFFICIENT MARKETPLACE. If you use Lazada or Amazon, you will agree that you rely heavily on reviews and ratings to compare products and pull that final trigger. You might still pick up a lemon once in a while – but you can always complain to the seller or platform and demand a refund. Same goes for that expensive $10,000 handbag that you bought online from LV – you don’t have to worry about it not being delivered. After all, the public marketplace is well-regulated and we can
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THE BIG IDEA
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simply turn to law enforcement bodies to get justice. On the Dark Web – it will be hard to know who you can turn to if you missed a shipment of firearms or got less than what you ordered from Silk Road2. In place of regulatory scrutiny is however a marketplace that is just as efficient – reputation, forums, reviews and established trust systems – with little frills and marketing. They are a parallel to black markets in the real world – functioning as hyper competitive markets and creating “better products” which are hazardous to our society. MYTH: YOU CAN’T CATCH SOMEONE IN THE DARK WEB. Just like the biographical movie “Catch Me If You Can” where conman Frank Abagnale was eventually caught, we can catch someone in the Dark Web if we really try. In the shadows of the Dark Web are human beings – and humans make mistakes. Like everyone else, they have weaknesses that can be latched onto by the authorities. Notably, we have seen examples of traffickers and pornography distributors being successfully apprehended. One of the most high-profile arrests being that of Ross Ulbricht3 – the person behind the largest internet drug market, Silk Road. What’s more? Crime fighting has arrived
at the next level with plenty of digital undercover work as well as mechanisms such as Honeypots to lure criminals. TRUTH: THE DARK WEB IS ONLY AS DARK AS ITS USER. To a normal person like me who spends copious amounts of time surfing the net every day, it is actually incredibly easy to access the Dark Web through Tor. But often, it becomes difficult to tell whether you are walking along safe paths of the ginormous internet forest or veering into dangerous dark marshes. Thankfully, the mechanics of the Dark Web and the ever-present cyber police prevent the Dark Web from being totally open to everyone. Criminal forums in the Dark Web are usually invite-only – you can’t just walk into an e-shop to buy a bazooka and get it delivered to Bedok. So after this article, think twice before you download Tor to enter the dark side. In fact, there are many deterrent media out there sharing how the Dark Web is surveilled, such as the video “This is How the FBI will Catch You on the Dark Web”4. But for geeks who see this as a cybersecurity lesson? You will find this visual guide5 on how Tor works very fascinating – and see “onions” in a different light.
WHAT ARE THREE THINGS YOU SHOULD NEVER REVEAL ON SOCIAL MEDIA? In a CNBC interview6, Frank Abagnale drew on his illustrious ex-career and shared three things that we should never post on social media. With these three pieces of information, your identity can be stolen in a matter of seconds:
BIRTH PLACE
DATE OF BIRTH
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silk_Road_(marketplace) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ross_Ulbricht https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2IC4VQcxyo https://skerritt.blog/how-does-tor-really-work/ https://www.cnbc.com/2019/11/14/frank-abagnale-from-catch-me-if-you-can-talks-about-social-media.html
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THE IT SOCIETY / Issue 01/2022
The Ugly and Good of Technology
GRACE CHNG Tech Journalist, Author and Content Consultant
Technology is neither good nor bad. But it is a double-edged sword. Its use provokes a broad spectrum of hopes and fears. It is indisputable that technological innovations have brought major gains to organisations and society. And I believe, it will continue to do so.
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f someone told me many years ago that I was going to spend 10 to 12 hours most days in front of a computer to do my job, I would have scoffed at the statement.
It turned out to be true. Most jobs these days require constant computer use and to be constantly online. Technology is proving to be crucial to everything. It is seeping into every aspect of life, from manufacturing to healthcare and transport to commerce, from homes to cars and offices to parks. But we do not seem to mind the intrusion. Technology has empowered us to communicate with others all over the world – in seconds. It has also made it possible for us to do our jobs – from anywhere.
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THE UGLY
THE GOOD Notwithstanding the ugly aspects, technology can do good too.
AUTOMATION DISPLACES WORKERS Self-driving cars and automated software that respond to customer-service inquiries do not require human workers. With digital transformation being accelerated, more workers, especially those without the relevant digital skills, will find themselves displaced.
CREATE NEW JOBS In 2030, your son or daughter may be an augmented-reality journey builder, human-machine teaming manager, a brain trainer or an autonomous car technician. Sounds crazy? As crazy as when I was told years ago that I would be spending 10 to 12 hours most days working in front of my computer.
COMPUTING CAN LEAD TO ADDICTION Gaming and internet addiction is on the rise as individuals spend all their time online. Singapore’s Ministry of Education1 has observed that gaming addiction has risen for school students. Similarly, internet addiction is another potential problem.
It is difficult to gaze into the crystal ball to predict the types of future tech jobs for they do not exist yet. I believe emerging technological innovations like augmented reality, blockchain, AI and self-driving systems have the potential to create new jobs.
MISINFORMATION AND DISINFORMATION MISLEAD PEOPLE Artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, neural systems and social media networks can be harnessed to spread false information quickly. They can be used to create deep fake videos, content that falsely show people saying and doing things they never said or did. They are used to manipulate people’s thinking. And the social media which is supposed to connect families and friends living in different parts of the world? They can be used to amplify misinformation and disinformation. CYBERATTACKS BECOME INEVITABLE Hacking tools and ready-made malware can be bought on the Dark Web easily, to attack financial institutions and critical infrastructure. The unintended consequence of COVID-19 sheltering measures led to large-scale adoption of technology for work from home arrangements, digitisation of customer-facing networks, and greater use of online services – all of which, presented cyber attackers with an enlarged attack surface. The research bears this out. Check Point Research reported that cyberattacks in Singapore rose 145% year on year in 2021. The Singapore’s Cyber Landscape 2020 report published by the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore also highlighted significant rise in ransomware and cybercrime like online cheating and cyber extortion.
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However, it is also undeniable that technology has negative impact.
Increasingly, individuals have a compulsive need to spend a great deal of time on the internet, even at the expense of relationships, work and health. A study2 published in the Psychiatry International journal found that more than half the adults in the US are either at risk of addiction or severely addicted to the internet. Additionally, those with internet addiction were 10 times more likely to have depression, nine times more likely to have anxiety, and 14 times more likely to have both depression and anxiety. Could the problem be here already, quietly festering under the hood?
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BOOST BUSINESS This is a basic concept in technology evolution which has not changed from the time early humans fashioned stones and sticks into farming tools to work the land. Technological innovations allow organisations to improve their products and services, be more efficient, agile and effective, as well as create new revenue streams. MAKE LEARNING FUN New innovations like the metaverse and 3D virtualisation give virtual face-to-face learning a new meaning. Students from different communities in the world now have opportunities to study with and train under experts from leading global universities. They get to learn from the best in exciting new ways. ASSIST PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES Technology makes it easier and safer for people with physical disabilities to communicate and share information while working from home remotely. Technology can also help those with speech impediments to communicate better, or even speak for them. Then for individuals who do not have hand dexterity, technology enables them to effectively navigate phone menus or type on keyboards. Software and hardware innovations can offer “voice”, “sight” and “hands” to the physically disabled. THE VERDICT? It is true that technology can spread misinformation or provoke perpetrators to do destructive things. But technology is not conscious. As conscious beings, it is our responsibility to ensure the proper management and use of technology. Technology makes my day-to-day life better. I spend 10 to 12 hours daily most days in front of the computer but I know I am more productive and efficient. It also has the power to optimise potential – both organisations and people. Most importantly, it extends the impact of human good to a larger scale.
https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2022/02/06/singapore-gaming-addiction-on-the-rise-among-children-amid-pandemic-say-counsellors---special-focus-bythe-straits-times https://www.mdpi.com/2673-5318/2/4/31
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THE IT SOCIETY / Issue 01/2022
Can Tech Truly Make Extraordinary Happen? NG KUO PIN Member, SCS Chief Executive Officer, NCS Age: 52 Earliest Tech Experience: Developed an AI speech recognition software that met the accuracy rate of 91% in 1993-94 Currently Reading: The Stranger in the Lifeboat by Mitch Albom Last Netflixed: The Squid Game or any other recommendations by his Gen Z children An App You Can’t Live Without: WhatsApp A Gadget You Can’t Live Without: My extra large 12.9 inch iPad Pro Favourite Way to Relax: Running distances of 10km to 12km on average and oil painting (but only when inspiration strikes)
Each year, over 2,800 infocomm and tech fresh graduates enter the workforce. Unsurprisingly, many are drawn to the tech industry by attractive pay packages, great career prospects and potential to impact the world. But, as The IT Society learns from speaking to the Chief Executive Officer of NCS – Ng Kuo Pin, joining a tech company with a clear purpose and strong beliefs may well be the most important key to unlocking personal growth and a better world. Q: Question, KP: Kuo Pin Q: From the outside, people just see tech as growing at an incredible pace. What is the view like from the inside? KP: Having been in the industry for close to 30 years now, I see four distinctive periods in the evolution of tech. The first would be the mainframe period where technology was largely exclusively used by big enterprises. I joined the industry when this phase transited to the clientserver phase. In the client-server phase, the price of computers were significantly lower than mainframes and their adoption was therefore more pervasive than mainframes. But applications were rudimentary, and users had to be equipped with programming skills in order to effectively work the machines. So the uptake of computers really only took off in the third phase around the late nineties when the internet came along. Browser centric and single use applications defined this period.
Then we come to the current period that everyone is familiar with – the Digital age. The advent of smart mobile phones brought about the whole conversation surrounding mobility. And it is also this time that the word “digital” came about. As a tech insider, I would split this phase into two parts. Raw, native mobile apps characterised the first part. The second part, which commenced around 2018 and is still ongoing, is marked by the confluence of various technologies such as cloud, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Blockchain and Internet of Things (IoT) transforming the world we live in today. I’ll call it the Digital+ age. Q: What is the significance of these changes? KP: In every phase, technology not only becomes more human-centric and more accessible to people, its impact to the world also becomes more significant. For individuals, tech brings convenience,
connects them to others and makes collaborations over different geographies possible. Likewise, for businesses, tech makes collecting and sharing information easier, facilitating not just faster but also better decision making. And if we were to just remember that individuals and businesses have always wanted these, and they are now all made possible by tech, it is easy to understand why most businesses today either see themselves as or aspire to be tech companies. Similarly, it will be hard to find a person whose life has not improved in one way or another because of tech. That is – the power of tech and the driving force behind its continued evolution. From the tech perspective, as we move through the different phases, app development goes from closed to open source, and standalone systems to cloud-based architecture. Effectively,
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development becomes faster and more sophisticated and it also calls for developers with more specialised domain knowledge to build on these established frameworks and libraries. Q: While these outcomes sound exciting, the journey is not always easy. How does NCS help with this process? KP: Technology adoption tends to be faster and more obvious in the consumer sector, compared to the business sector. That said, digitalisation and digital transformation in the business world are taking place at an unprecedented pace now. Previously, during the clientserver and even the internet phases, digitalisation means dealing with legacy systems, processes, and people’s mindsets which can be uninitiated at times. Naturally, the bigger the organisation in concern, the bigger the inertia to change. Today, people are more cognisant of the importance of digital transformation to business relevance. Plus, many organisations already have a certain level of tech embedded in their processes, so the reception towards tech is generally warmer now. However, digital
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transformation is no less complex because it involves changing the way businesses are conducted, interactions are carried out, and services are delivered. Hence, at NCS, it is our belief that a digital transformation project has to concurrently be a business transformation project. It has to get buy-in from the leadership and at its core – help the business achieve its business objectives and purpose. Each year, NCS challenges ourselves to bring about true transformation in the over 3,000 projects we deliver. Q: With so many projects going on at any one time, how does NCS ensure that the best is done for every project? KP: While we put in place some checks and balances – and so do many of our clients, we believe that the best way to do this is to code the practice of “doing the right thing” into our culture. Because there is only so much policing that can be done. Unlike in building construction, one cannot physically inspect the build floor by floor. So, how we do it at NCS is to articulate our purpose statement about harnessing technology to advance communities, and bringing people together to make the extraordinary
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happen. In addition, we share our purpose statement with our partners and stakeholders so that it is clear and transparent about the impact that we want to make. To put things in perspective, although we have not had to turn down any project for this reason yet, but if one day a client approaches us to take on a project that contravenes our purpose statement, we would say “no”. We take our purpose statement very seriously – it is central to NCS’ DNA. Q: Final question: Can tech truly make extraordinary happen? KP: It’s a definite – yes! In the last decade, tech has not only created whole new industries, but also jobs for many people. Occupations like data scientists, cloud architects and social media influencers were non-existent as recent as 10 years ago. Today, thanks to tech, they provide livelihoods for people and – in some cases – change the narrative of an entire nation, lifting them from poverty and empowering their rapid advancement.
“Tech has much to offer to any aspiring tech professional. Particularly, in the tech services space, you get to apply your tech skills and knowledge to solve real world business problems. Additionally, you have many opportunities to work with talented and passionate people. It is complex, but also an exhilarating experience.”
Technology is good because...
Businesses should push on with digital transformation because...
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Technology only becomes dark because...
I am looking forward to the day when...
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THE IT SOCIETY / Issue 01/2022
FROM REACTION TO PREVENTION:
Tech is Keeping Everyone in the Pink of Health NGIAM SIEW YING Member, SCS Chief Executive Officer, IHiS Age: 45 Earliest Tech Experience: Computer Science 101 at university Currently Reading: The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg Apps You Can’t Live Without: Telegram and WhatsApp (and HealthHub because it has made such a difference to how we interact with the healthcare system) Pet Topic of the Moment: Building good organisational culture Favourite Way to Relax: Taking long hikes and watching cooking shows
In March 2022, the Ministry of Health announced the next radical step for population health in Singapore. Moving away from ‘reactive’ healthcare, Healthier SG adopts a preventive model to ensure Singaporeans stay healthy – reducing the need for healthcare interventions. But how can Singapore achieve that, and what role does tech play? The IT Society speaks to IHiS’ new CEO, Ngiam Siew Ying to find out how tech has enabled better care, how IHiS keeps sensitive data safe, what it takes for healthtech projects to be successful, and what’s in store for public healthcare in Singapore. Q: Question, SY: Siew Ying Q: What would you say are the greatest benefits that tech has brought to public health? SY: The first that comes to mind is how tech has enabled us to provide better care at speed and scale. Now that most healthcare providers are digitalised, systems are linked and we have a health data grid in the back, no matter which setting a patient goes to, doctors can quickly pull out past history, allergies and recent issues as needed – something that would have been impossible in the past when we were still reliant on paper records. For patients, this means they no longer need to repeat tests that they had already done and precious minutes saved in an emergency. For clinicians, critical information is available at a click, clinical processes can be more efficient, and there is less paperwork to deal with.
The other area that I find exciting is the use of big data and analytics capabilities. With the widespread digitalisation of our systems, we can now pull data together and analyse it for predictive insights. Analytics helps us better target interventions – for example, we can pick up at-risk groups who are likely to have medical concerns and focus our interventions accordingly. Without this, we would have to expend resources very bluntly on a large number of people, in the hope that we land on the right persons. Q: There has been growing public concern about issues like security, data privacy and ethics. What is IHiS doing to address these concerns? SY: In general, we use a layered defence approach with multiple controls at each
level. For data like health information, they are secured behind multiple walls so granting access is intentional rather than accidental. Auditing is also carried out periodically to check if data accesses were for legitimate reasons. In addition, we keep ourselves up-to-date on cybersecurity trends and learn from others to improve what we are doing. For example, when news broke about the banks’ SMS phishing incidents late last year, we immediately checked all our systems. Because for IHiS, we are serious about protecting what we have under our care, responsibly. We do often have to strike a balance between usability needed for operations and best security practices. Systems are built to support user processes and ease of use – clickable SMSes for making
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or changing appointments is one such feature. Hence, before clickable SMSes could be discontinued, our healthcare providers might need to change the way they arrange appointments. The process of change is often complex, and takes time and cooperation with our healthcare partners and stakeholders. Q: Why is it so important to protect data and ensure ethical practices in the public healthtech domain? SY: If it gets to the point where people are unwilling to share data for fear of where the data is going or how it’s being used, then we will lose out on huge benefits that tech can bring. That’s why even as IHiS focuses on leveraging tech to realise these benefits and meet user needs, we also strive to give people the assurance that their data is well protected. Ethics and data protection are central to conversations in the healthcare space. Naturally, there are strict rules and regulations governing ethical use in the public healthcare sector. There are ethics boards to review projects independently. When it comes to data, we have strict controls around who can access the data and how data can be used. When data is used for analytics purposes, it is first de-identified – we walk the fine line in ensuring that data is anonymised enough to protect the source but not to the point where it loses usefulness. The good thing for IHiS is that we are building tech to support better healthcare and better lives in Singapore. This public service mission is the secret sauce that makes IHiS’ potential for impact so much greater. Of course, there will always be bad apples – malicious actors who break the rules. But IHiS’ emphasis is on building and securing an environment so that healthcare providers can do what they need to do. We know we need to do the right things to support our healthcare partners in achieving their mission.
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Q: Given all these safeguards, why do some healthtech projects still fail? SY: For projects to be successful, the tech, people and business need to be aligned. So when something fails, we need to understand why. For example, we had the capability to do telehealth for many years now. But no matter how we tried to encourage adoption, people still wanted to go to the clinic, see the doctor in-person and get their medicine immediately. It was hard to change the status quo. Then COVID-19 hit – and the technology was already there and we could immediately deploy our telehealth and vital signs monitoring solutions. So that’s an instance when the tech initially ‘failed’, but succeeded in the end when the tech, people and business came into alignment. Other times, it fails when the tech is built around old business processes. I’ve seen systems that people say are hard to use. Then you realise that rather than transforming the process through technology, a manual process was simply digitised. These are the moments when tech doesn’t achieve its full potential. For tech projects to be successful, people and tech need to be in sync. Q: What roles do you foresee healthtech and IHiS playing in public health in the near future? SY: Beyond benefits like care continuity and analytical capabilities that I mentioned earlier, tech will help us achieve our Healthier SG goals at the speed and scale it needs to go. In fact, I would go as far to say that healthcare transformation would be impossible without technology.
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and helping us leapfrog our capabilities. So IHiS’ role here is to make sure our foundation is strong and our backend is built on sound architecture – so that innovation can flourish. For instance, when care models change and healthcare providers want to try something new, they can do so quickly while still supporting interoperability and continuity of care for Singaporeans. Also, as individuals take greater ownership of their own health, health apps and gadgets are the channels through which to extend our reach, put useful information in people’s hands, nudge them to go for regular health screening, complete their fitness routines or just get moving. So technology really empowers healthcare to be more effective, agile and speedier. That is the instrumental role IHiS plays – bringing technology into the healthcare space. Q: Having just become IHiS’ new CEO early this year, how has the transition been like? SY: Having been with the Ministry of Health for five years, the healthcare space is a familiar one. During that time, I worked very closely with IHiS – I was on the IHiS board, and we walked through some organisational transformations together. So for me it’s been a relatively natural transition – it almost feels like homecoming. And what I really like about IHiS is the public service mission. Through combining tech and healthcare, we harness the best of technology to transform healthcare – making for better health, better care and better lives for Singaporeans.
As we move to preventive healthcare – beyond traditional brick and mortar institutions – with Healthier SG, I believe technology will be key to unlocking
“In trying to figure out what’s best for IHiS and public healthcare, my philosophy is to do the right thing, and do the thing right. It’s about having the right moral compass and making sure your decision frame is correct. But what’s important is also having the humility to understand that your answers can always be sharpened and improved by others – who have different and valuable input to contribute.”
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POWER BOOST
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Does Technology Decide Humanity Or Does Humanity Decide Technology? Humans have been expressing ourselves through technology since the dawn of humanity. It is no wonder then that technology so closely reflects the entire range of human character, emotions and behaviours: the good and the evil, kindness and malice, generosity and greed.
VLADYSLAV KOSHELYEV Member, SCS Product Marketing, Meta Founder, The Koshelyev Company
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irds building nests, elephants creating fans, fishes sharpening stones to open seashells – there are examples of innovations across every life form. This shows that technology is not something that was recently invented, or limited to the latest gadgets. Instead, it is a fundamental property of life. HUMANITY MEETS TECHNOLOGY The earliest archaeological records show humans sharpening stones and woods, manipulating fire, and constructing proto-houses. That is why some scientists predict that the creation of complex instruments contributed to the evolution of the human brain and intelligence. Some go further to say that the self-organising laws of physics make the emergence of tech all but inevitable. HUMANITY DRIVES TECHNOLOGY The progress of technology has always been tightly interwoven with the advancement of civilisation. Our art forms, for instance, are to a large extent determined by the available tools, materials and techniques. In addition, it is no coincidence that some of the most famous artists in history were also cutting edge innovators who invented new approaches in architecture, medicine, agriculture, weaponry and other domains. In fact, early hackers and tinkerers from Ancient Greece distinguished between the “hard” tech to deal with the physical infrastructure, and the “soft” tech to encompass areas such as law, culture and
language. The direct progression between inventions such as language, writing, books, libraries and finally the internet is similarly observed in money and our monetary system, as well as law-making and legislation. Many researchers view these as codes expressed through tools available at specific time periods. HUMANITY DECIDES TECHNOLOGY Consider one of our most important inventions: wielding fire. Fire enables us to cook meals, warm up shelters, melt metal, launch a spaceship to the stars, etc. At the same time, it kills people by shooting bullets from guns, creating
explosions or burning down buildings. But perhaps, no piece of technology reflects its very nature quite as well as the mirror – and it is us who decide what expression we will see when we look into it. What kind of technology will we create in the years ahead? This is for us to decide. As in the past, future innovations will be a reflection of our aspirations, ambitions, our beliefs – and ourselves. How do we see ourselves? Who do we want to become? The trajectory of technology follows our lead, whichever the direction we choose.
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THE IT SOCIETY / Issue 01/2022
New SCS Leadership Sets to Represent Tech Professionals and Bridge the Digital Divide
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eadership changed hands at the Society’s 55th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 25 March 2022. Sam Liew took over the reins of SCS President from Dr Chong Yoke Sin who recently completed her three-year tenure. Sharing his plans for SCS, Sam said, “I look forward to lead and work closely with my Executive Council and SCS members to drive the national upskilling of our tech workforce and support our members in their professional and personal growth. We will continue our efforts to develop and update critical certifications and micro-certifications for our members to navigate the rapidly changing digital landscape and stay ahead of the curve.” “In addition, digital disruption is likely to continue. To help bridge the digital divide, we will leverage SCS’ unique position to drive cross-sectoral engagement for groups such as students, youths and senior citizens via sharing of tech initiatives, mentorships and other community engagement activities,” Sam added.
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS UNDER DR CHONG YOKE SIN’S LEADERSHIP 24% growth in membership, crossing the 51,000 mark
Launch of the world’s first AI Ethics & Governance Body of Knowledge (BoK) and AI Ethics Certification for professionals, and advancement of the AI Ethics movement in education with the introduction of AI Ethics (Associate) certification and AI Literacy Programme on Human Centricity to five polytechnics and ITE Launch of the SG Women in Tech (SGWIT) movement and unveiling of the SG100WIT List – an initiative that recognises and celebrates tech women based in Singapore who inspire communities and contribute significantly to the tech industry
Expansion of the SCS suite of certifications to include AI Ethics & Governance Certification
SCS Key Executive Council Members. From Left: Lawrence Ng (Vice-President), Dr Chong Yoke Sin (Immediate Past President), Han Chung Heng (Honorary Treasurer), Sam Liew (SCS President), Adrian Chye (Vice-President) and Tan Teng Cheong (Honorary Secretary)
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Dr Chong Yoke Sin (2nd from the right) stepped down from the helm of SCS and received a memento from the newly minted President Sam Liew, flanked by the three past presidents, Chak Kong Soon, Howie Lau and Alex Siow.
The inaugural batch of AI Ethics & Governance (Expert) and (Senior Professional) certified members were presented with certificates by Dr Chong Yoke Sin at the SCS AGM. From Left: Guruprasad Raghavendran (Senior Professional), Tan Wen Rui (Senior Professional), Gerry Chng (Expert) and Jason Tamara Widjaja (Expert)
SCS EXECUTIVE COUNCIL 2022/2023 President
Council Member
Sam Liew, FSCS NCS
Dennis Ang, FSCS Nanyang Polytechnic
Immediate Past President
Jason Chen, SMSCS IBM
Dr Chong Yoke Sin, FSCS iGlobe Partners Vice-President
Andrew Chow, FSCS ST Engineering
Co-opted Member Lim Bee Kwan, FSCS Government Technology Agency
Gayle Chan, MSCS Defence Science & Technology Agency
Lum Seow Khun, FSCS Microsoft
Henry Chang, SMSCS Government Technology Agency
Prof Miao Chun Yan, FSCS Nanyang Technological University
Kevin Koh, SMSCS Accenture
Lawrence Ng, FSCS CrimsonLogic
Stephanie Davis, FSCS Google
Ong Whee Teck, FSCS EY
Goh Li-Li, SMSCS Singtel
Adrian Chye, FSCS Mediafreaks
Grace Ho, SMSCS SWAT Mobility
Ngiam Siew Ying, MSCS Integrated Health Information Systems
Honorary Secretary
Khoong Hock Yun, FSCS Tembusu Partners
Siew Yim Cheng, SMSCS ComfortDelgro
Andy Lee, SMSCS Cisco
Tancy Tan, MSCS HSBC
Tan Teng Cheong, FSCS BetterIDEAS Honorary Treasurer Han Chung Heng, FSCS Oracle
Yeo Teck Guan, FSCS Singapore Pools
Bruce Liang, FSCS Sea
Tony Tay, FSCS AgileAlgo
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THE IT SOCIETY / Issue 01/2022
Another Eleven Outstanding Members Joined the Ranks of SCS Fellows
From left: Dr Tham Jo Yew, Bryan Tan, Sharon Teo, Dr Bernard Leong, Leonard Ong, Dr Chong Yoke Sin, Stephanie Davis, Paul Lee, Siew Yim Cheng, Tan Shui-Min, Suji Thampi, Micah Tan
A
t the SCS 55th Annual General Meeting, 11 SCS members were conferred the prestigious title of SCS Fellow. Well respected in their fields, each of them have made notable contributions to SCS and influenced the tech industry positively through their areas of expertise and influence. Heartiest congratulations to our newly conferred Fellows!
Stephanie Davis Vice-President, Google
Siew Yim Cheng Group Chief Digital Officer, ComfortDelgro
Sharon Teo Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Inspire-Tech
Paul Lee Managing Director, DC Connect
Bryan Tan Partner, Pinsent Masons Mpillay
Dr Tham Jo Yew Founder & Chief Executive Officer, ESP Xmedia
Dr Bernard Leong Group Chief Digital & Information Officer, Woh Hup
Micah Tan Vice-President, Bank of New York Mellon
Suji Thampi Advisor, INteelidocx
Leonard Ong Senior Director & Regional Chief Information Security Officer, GE Healthcare
Tan Shui-Min Chief Information Technology Officer, National University of Singapore
A FEW WORDS FROM OUR NEW FELLOWS “Technology is accelerating at a pace that we have never seen before. New business models, emerging technologies and an expanding threat landscape are challenges we have to deal with, and SCS provides a community and platform to connect, learn and grow in today’s complex environment.”
“I am honoured and privileged to be conferred as a SCS Fellow. Since the early years of my IT career, I have been a member of SCS – and its rich resources and network have helped me grow as an IT professional. I hope that more IT professionals will tap on SCS’ offerings and benefit from them like I did.”
“SCS is an exciting community! Its rich career guidance and strong network of passionate professionals and leaders, have been pivotal to the growth of tech professionals. With tech becoming increasingly pervasive across industries, professionals can count on SCS for career support and inspiration.”
“Having lived and breathed media for over 25 years, I’m humbled and honoured to be able to contribute to the local media-tech ecosystem through my engagements in SCS’ Digital Media Chapter. My aspiration is to nurture homegrown deep-tech talents who add value to Singapore and trailblaze our innovation across the globe.”
Leonard Ong
Tan Shui-Min
Sharon Teo
Dr Tham Jo Yew
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The Magazine of the Singapore Computer Society
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Communities of Practice: The 30 Seconds Elevator Pitch
What’s the hot button issue in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity? What’s the next big thing in cloud computing or the Internet of Things (IoT)? Find answers to the above questions and more with our Communities of Practice (CoPs). With 13 Chapters, three Special Interest Groups and the SCS Youth and SCS Student Chapters to choose from, there’s something for everyone. Join our CoPs today and stay up-to-date and connected with like-minded peers!
CHAPTERS
AI & Robotics Chapter
Business Analytics Chapter
Business Continuity Chapter
Committee Members:
Committee Members:
Committee Members:
“Artificial Intelligence (AI) is permeating our lives – and it is more important than ever to implement AI systems in a humancentric manner that engenders trust. The AI & Robotics Chapter aims to become the focal point for a community of responsible AI practitioners, where we not only promote the latest in AI technology, but also how to employ it ethically.”
“Data is useless unless they provide insights to enable better decisions. The Business Analytics (BA) Chapter seeks to build that awareness and competency across Singapore with our active community of members. Through engaging corporates to share about their Analytics success stories, our IDEAS talk series drives healthy discussion and exchange on risks and opportunities Analytics presents.”
“Business continuity (BC) is never static – and the pandemic has taught us to be nimble and adaptable in our recovery strategy as circumstances evolve. We endeavour to be the voice of the local BC industry, highlighting the importance of BC for all organisations – big and small – and equipping our members with the latest knowledge so they remain resilient in the new normal.”
www.scs.org.sg/communities/ai-androbotics/exco
Toh Keng Hoe, MSCS AI & Robotics Chapter President
Cloud Computing Chapter Committee Members:
www.scs.org.sg/communities/ cloud-computing/exco
www.scs.org.sg/communities/businessanalytics/exco
Manik Bhandari, SMSCS Business Analytics Chapter President
“Cloud services are increasingly becoming foundational to creating innovative digital solutions quickly and efficiently. To that end, the Cloud Computing (CC) Chapter has been at the forefront: promoting awareness, transferring know-how and developments in cloud technology in partnership with academia, industry and government.” Dr Anton Ravindran, FSCS Cloud Computing Chapter President
www.scs.org.sg/communities/businesscontinuity/exco
Micah Tan, FSCS Business Continuity Chapter President
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THE IT SOCIETY / Issue 01/2022
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Cybersecurity Chapter
Data Centre Chapter
Digital Assurance Chapter
Committee Members:
Committee Members:
Committee Members:
“In our increasingly digital world, cybersecurity is a cornerstone of digital well-being and safety. The Cybersecurity (CS) Chapter aims to add value to members and the ecosystem in Singapore by offering opportunities to learn from leading cybersecurity practitioners – and contribute to an inclusive community with diverse representation across industries, backgrounds and experiences.”
“Can we design a data centre that is greener, more sustainable and higher performing – all at once? The Data Centre (DC) Chapter gathers the local community of data centre professionals to realise that vision. By pushing for more innovative technologies that go beyond meeting industry and society’s needs today, let’s overcome prevailing challenges to create a sustainable data centre ecosystem for the future.”
“Digital business transformation calls for seamless tech and business integration, process reengineering and workforce retraining. Through focusing on DevSecOps, Automation and Agility, the Digital Assurance (DA) Chapter aims to provide insights on current market trends, training, tools and methods that can create a ‘quality-first’ culture within organisations.”
Huang Shao Fei, FSCS Cybersecurity Chapter President
Wong Tew Kiat, FSCS Data Centre Chapter President
www.scs.org.sg/communities/ cybersecurity/exco
www.scs.org.sg/communities/ data-centre-dc-chapter/exco
Digital Media Chapter Committee Members:
www.scs.org.sg/communities/ digital-media/exco
www.scs.org.sg/communities/ quality-assurance/exco
Gin Wong, MSCS Digital Assurance Chapter President
“Consumers increasingly demand rich quality interactions and ready access to social information. To support that, cloud-based digital media software tools have to advance in sync. Besides catalysing the growth of mobile video technologies, virtual and augmented reality, the Digital Media (DM) Chapter is excited to empower the ecosystem’s governance through identifying and growing a pool of skilled talent and resources.” Desmond Ng, SMSCS Digital Media Chapter President
Enterprise Architecture Chapter Committee Members:
www.scs.org.sg/communities/enterprisearchitecture/exco
“When organisations jump into digital transformation without Enterprise Architecture (EA), they experience increased complexity, process duplication and a decline in efficiency. The EA team assists with transformation initiatives by aligning technology with business strategy and supporting the vision, mission and motivation of key stakeholders.” Aaron Tan Dani, SMSCS Enterprise Architecture Chapter President
Internet of Things Chapter Committee Members:
www.scs.org.sg/communities/ internet-of-things/exco
Project Management Chapter Committee Members:
www.scs.org.sg/communities/projectmanagement/exco
“At the very heart of digital transformation lies the Internet of Things (IoT), which provides underpinning technologies that enable business transformation. The IoT Chapter aims to raise the bar by leading a digital culture, accelerating IoT capabilities in Singapore – and ultimately, driving adoption of IoT products and services.”
“Project Management (PM) skills equip Project Managers to steer their projects effectively through a dynamic landscape. The PM Chapter aims to future-proof our members’ careers by offering relevant certifications and professional development activities to stay abreast of the latest trends in PM, PM knowledge and leadership skills.”
Sachin Gupta, SMSCS Internet of Things Chapter President
Jonathan Tay, SMSCS Project Management Chapter President
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Supply Chain Management Chapter
Women in Tech Chapter
Committee Members:
Committee Members:
“The COVID-19 pandemic has brought supply chains into the spotlight like never before. Through our signature “Applying Supply Chain, Engaging New Technologies” (ASCENT) series, the Supply Chain Management (SCM) Chapter continues to engage businesses and professionals to further enhance the resilience, reliability and productivity of supply chains.”
“Gender diversity adds to a vibrant digital economy, and the Women in Tech (WIT) Chapter seeks to inspire women and girls to pursue careers in technology. In 2022, WIT will focus on promoting the professional development and visibility of women talent, and connecting female graduates with successful role models through our mentoring programme.”
Jeffrey Tan, SMSCS Supply Chain Management Chapter President
Tan Lee Chew, SMSCS Women in Tech Chapter President
www.scs.org.sg/communities/supply-chain-management/exco
www.scs.org.sg/communities/women-in-technology/exco
SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS (SIGS)
Blockchain Special Interest Group Committee Members:
www.scs.org.sg/communities/ blockchain-dlt/exco
“Blockchain has evolved from being a technology disruptor to being considered as the de facto standard process for defining trust in multiparty contracts. In addition to bringing in thought leaders to share on technology advances, Blockchain (DLT) SIG actively collaborates with members to improve practitioner knowledge and support DLT adoption.” Suji Thampi, FMSCS Blockchain Special Interest Group Chairman
Free and Open Source Software Special Interest Group
Technopreneurship Special Interest Group Committee Members:
Committee Members:
www.scs.org.sg/communities/ technopreneurship/exco
“From embedded devices to the largest data centres, open source software has become essential components in technology architecture today. The Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) SIG aims to promote greater appreciation of emerging technologies and trends from the open source world, and foster engagement with the larger community.”
“Despite the pandemic, Singapore’s start-ups continued to grow in size and strength over the past few years. The Technopreneurship (TNR) SIG promotes entrepreneurship endeavours among tech professionals. Additionally, TNR SIG supports local entrepreneurs by providing them with a platform that nurtures a culture of innovation and builds skills and competencies.”
www.scs.org.sg/communities/ free-and-open-source-software/exco
Richard Koh, SMSCS Free and Open Source Software Special Interest Group Chairman
Chak Kong Soon, FSCS Technopreneurship Special Interest Group Chairman
SCS YOUTH AND STUDENT CHAPTER
SCS Youth
SCS Student Chapter
Committee Members:
Committee Members:
“SCS Youth represents #GenTech, the youth of SCS. With the goal of preparing our youths to become future industry leaders, we advance our #GenTech agenda through representation in SCS CoPs, expanding industry relations, partnerships with like-minded groups, mentorship and our flagship Digital Youth Ambassadors.”
“The SCS Student Chapter serves as a bridge to connect young talents in school with the tech industry. Set to groom a pool of future-ready tech professionals, Student Chapter Membership engages students in SCS activities and networking sessions with tech professionals, enabling them to relate theory to practice as they transit from studying to working life.”
Peter Yap, MSCS SCS Youth President
Adrian Chye, FSCS SCS Student Chapter Chairman
www.scs.org.sg/communities/scs-youth/exco
www.scs.org.sg/communities/student-chapter
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Technology @ GIC
GIC, Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund, is driven to secure Singapore’s financial future. We are looking for the best talent to help us fulfil our commitment to the future of Singapore and its people.
At GIC Technology, we have stepped up our operational capabilities to leverage technology more effectively, harness data, deepen insights, and sharpen our competitive edge. We are building a high-performing technology team with a modern approach that focuses on data and digitalisation for greater innovation and agility. We’ll empower you to deliver fit-for-purpose technology that underpins GIC’s transformation into a tech-driven, global, long-term investment firm. You’ll be given various assignments and a high level of responsibility right from the start. Respecting diverse perspectives allows us to develop innovative solutions that provide us with a competitive edge. We’ll invest in providing the necessary training and development to set you up for success, regardless of your industry background. You’ll learn from the best minds to explore and exploit new and existing technology to support our strategic and operational business needs. You’ll also have the autonomy to take charge of your career and make a meaningful impact. Choose a career with purpose. Join us to get the exposure you’ve never had before. Apply now
careers.gic.com.sg
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Cloud Conference Returns for the Fourth Year
H
eld on 22 February 2022 at One Farrer Hotel as a hybrid event with 102 in-person participants and another 139 virtual attendees, the fourth Cloud Conference was themed “Innovating Digital Services on Cloud” to give focus to cloud computing’s critical role in Singapore’s continued aspiration to grow and innovate despite the pandemic. The pandemic has fast-forwarded cloud adoption and compressed the adoption curve from years to months. Coupled with acceleration of transformation journeys by the government and enterprises to provide better citizen and customer experience, cloud services will be foundational in creating innovative digital solutions quickly and efficiently. Speaking at the Conference, Mr Alvin Tan, Minister of State for Trade &
Industry, and Culture, Community and Youth, cited IMDA’s SMEs Go Digital Programme, which has supported over 78,000 SMEs on their digitalisation journey, as a resource. Additionally, he urged Singapore-based companies to leverage Digital Economy Agreements (DEAs) to grow their business and adopt cloud services. He elaborated, “Singapore’s DEAs aim to facilitate seamless end-to-end trade of digital technologies and services such as cloud services, mobile applications and AI.” Currently, Singapore has three DEAs with Chile, New Zealand and, more recently, Britain. Singapore will also be signing a fourth one with South Korea sometime later. In her address, SCS Immediate Past President Dr Chong Yoke Sin noted that the pandemic had led most
enterprises to prioritise investments in digital infrastructure resiliency. “Cloud technologies will be pervasive, not just popular,” she said. “With over 85% of organisations embracing cloud-first or cloud-native principles by 2025, digital and product teams will use architectural principles and capabilities to take advantage of the cloud environment’s inherent capabilities.” SCS Cloud Computing Chapter President Dr Anton Ravindran added, “The most compelling benefit of the cloud is that it lowers adoption costs, facilitates co-creation and has transformation value in driving innovation,” he said. “By making AI accessible, cloud is rapidly democratising AI. Cloud has also become a force multiplier for AI and other emerging technologies such as blockchain. But to fully leverage the cloud, we need skills and talent.”
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THE IT SOCIETY / Issue 01/2022
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What’s Work Like in the COVID Resilient Age? COVID-19 has changed the world as we know it. As we transit towards a COVID resilient nation, many questions remain. Will we return to work from office as default? How can one thrive during this peri-pandemic period? And what can SCS do to support career aspirations? Here’s what we learnt from 146 respondents who took part in the Opinion Poll conducted from 5 to 21 January 2022.
THE WORST OF COVID-19 IS OVER. Yes 36.3%
Maybe 31.5%
No 32.2%
HOPES FOR WORK.
Work Arrangement
Employee Well-being
• Flexibility for hybrid work
• More empathy and care from leadership
• Collaborative work culture • Outcome-based approach • Regular communication and feedback sessions • Enhanced tech support • Team bonding
Business Model/ Operations • Use tech to transform business
• More understanding towards needs
• Stay relevant in the new digital age
• Better work pace to avoid burnout
• Mindset change in where work is performed
• Insurance coverage for COVID-19 related matters • Regular and proactive engagement • Opportunities for open communication
• Utilise online meeting tools such as MS Teams, Google, Zoom • Smaller office size • Operating costs redirected to manpower expenses
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Videoconferencing Skills
01
• Use of different virtual meeting portals (e.g. Zoom, MS Teams, Webex, etc.) • Better video conferencing ethics • Active listening and contributing to online meetings
Digital Literacy Skills
02
CRITICAL TECH SKILLS FOR WORK
• AI related tools (e.g. chatbots) • Cybersecurity (e.g. how to spot phishing & scams) • Cloud Computing • Data Science, Data Management and Analytics • Digital Marketing • PC troubleshooting while WFH working-from-home
Soft Skills
03
• Adaptability • A digital first mindset • Effective remote work • Self-learning • Savviness in learning new productivity tools
POSITIVE CHANGES START WITH ME!
Change my mindset about the conventional way of working, education, healthcare and socialising
Find my own balance between work and life
Continue upgrading my tech skills
Be supportive towards people lagging behind in digital adoption
Be a role model in tech adoption, change adaptability and resilience
Share the importance of digital transformation
Take ownership of personal digital hygiene and encourage others to do the same
Encourage social integration of technology to accelerate organic business growth
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GEEK SPEAK
THE IT SOCIETY / Issue 01/2022
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Hire or Fire: Tech Calls the Shots By Francesca Siow
H
ello peeps – I am back. Since the last, I’ve landed a job with one of the world’s leading Artificial Intelligence (AI) firms. How exciting is that?
one peer shared how they wouldn’t have scored a chance at their new workplace if they had sent in their resume good and proper to these companies.
Well, I guess it’s hard to blame the machine. Even if we do, no good comes out of it. Can it apologise? Maybe. But trust me, it’s “sorry”, but not sorry. Can it correct its own bias? No.
And that’s not even the coolest part. AI was encoded into every stage of my recruitment – from the screening to the interviewing process. I was – and still am – in awe.
On the other side of the fence, the AI tool also has a fan base. My HR colleague was all praise and smiles when she talked about the quality and speed the AI was able to shortlist candidates – a contrast to her comments about the prior human executive.
How about going back to the source company or the original programmer to resolve that? Easier said than done. Because the AI could have learnt and evolved so much from the beginning that it’s also a black box to these folks. So eventually, the only solution is to “fire” the AI and “hire” more humans to build a new one.
THE GOOD Like did you know? It was the headhunter AI that found me – my words and my works (good ones, soso ones and even the bad ones). It’s creepy but also amazing, and (mostly) a relief that there wasn’t anything really dark picked up – except this picture of me eating dark chocolate ice-cream and dripping everywhere. I wasn’t the only one who found the AI recruiting tool awesome. More than
THE BAD Except, few know that AI is actually just as biased as humans. We’ve learnt to question other humans and their bias over the course of human history. But not machines. We trust our machines – even when logic tells us that our conscientious colleague doesn’t deserve a poor performance rating or to be fired.
THE UNCERTAIN Now, I am confused. Is AI great because it helped me and my friends nab great jobs? Or is AI bad because just like how it got me hired, it can also get me fired? Whatever. I’ve decided. I can call the shots – by playing a part in correcting these coded bias.
Your career is yours to program.
Florence Software Engineer, Prime Brokerage Tech Diversity & Inclusion Advocate Former Software Engineer Program Intern Extreme Sport Enthusiast Discover internship and career opportunities here.
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