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S'pore cyber-security beefed up

MarrickG

Alfrescian
Loyal
IN VIEW of recent debilitating online attacks on companies such as Google, the Government will strengthen the country's infocomms security measures.

By September, Internet Service Providers (ISPs) must adhere to a code of practice that deals with current and emerging cyber threats. Singapore is one of the first countries in the world to implement this code.

Announcing this at the Information Security Seminar yesterday, Rear-Admiral (NS) Lui Tuck Yew, Acting Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts, said that with more people spending time on the Internet, there is a greater need for protection from threats like identity theft.

Two ISPs here, telcos Sing-Tel and StarHub, which have their own cyber-protection guidelines, told my paper they welcome the streamlined code.

The code prescribes baseline security standards in tandem with international standards, and will take into account the ISPs' existing measures, said the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA).

For instance, it requires ISPs to respond effectively to the threats as well as monitor them.

ISPs will also have to share information related to cybersecurity threats with the IDA.

Doing so will help in the early detection of new Internet threats, so that pre-emptive measures can be taken.

The Government will also improve its own capabilities to deal with cyber risks, such as gathering and analysing cyber- security information from public and industry sources.

This includes using software tools that look for connections between seemingly isolated attacks.

Another prong of the Government's strategy is to raise awareness of online security among students, households and start-up companies.

For instance, the IDA said the National Crime Prevention Council and its industry partners will spend "a couple of hundred thousands" to set up an online portal called the Virtual Cyber Security Park, which is expected to be up by the first half of next year.

will teach students how to protect themselves from cyber threats through an interactive 3-D virtual environment which is similar to that in Second Life.

Rear-Adm Lui said that the cyber- security measures are essential as Singapore is vulnerable.

He cited a recent report by IT-security firm Symantec which indicated that two thirds of businesses here encountered cyber attacks last year.

Security experts said the country is moving in the right direction in pre-empting cyber attacks.

Mr Ilias Chantzos, a director of government relations at Symantec, said that Singapore stands out in the Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and Africa regions in understanding the need for infocomm technologies to be protected.

"Singapore is one of the most advanced countries when it comes to cooperation with the private sector - a key component of any cyber-security strategy," he said.

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http://digital.asiaone.com/Digital/News/Story/A1Story20100323-206172.html
 
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