Spyware, malware and other computer viruses on your personal computer could already mean the theft of your credit card details. So can you imagine the severe damage they could do to military networks?
To fight increasingly prevalent cyber attacks, the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) has beefed up its cyber defence capabilities with the setting up of the Cyber Defence Operations Hub.
Defence Minister Dr Ng Eng Hen announced this when he spoke to the media at the Chevrons on 29 Jun, ahead of SAF Day on 1 Jul.
He noted that cyber attacks are a global concern shared by his counterparts. "All of us recognise that they are increasing in frequency and potency, and can create damage for us simply because our military and civilian networks are highly dependent on these computer systems."
He pointed out that cyber attacks could even develop into nightmare scenarios where the networks that the SAF relied upon during operations were incapacitated. The networks support the SAF's surveillance, weapons, engineering, logistics, and most importantly, communications systems.
Consolidating resources
The new hub would allow the SAF to build up expertise in the area of cyber defence and is an amalgamation of existing SAF-wide resources that deal with cyber attacks.
"Cyber defence is not really different from artillery, armour, the air force or the navy. You have to build expertise because these are specialised skills," Dr Ng said.
Dr Ng added that the first task of the hub was to look into areas like its command and control structures. "When you want to respond, who responds? What is the response plan? It may cut across agencies, it may cut across different forces, different Services."
Although the SAF has identified and prepared for the challenge of cyber attacks, Dr Ng stressed that whether Singapore succeeded against the challenges it faced depended solely on Singaporeans and national servicemen. "You can have the most advanced technology but if you don't have the resolve and commitment, all would come to naught."
He noted that Singapore did not have the option of not having NS. "We can't say 'I want to have a strong defence but let's do away with NS or have a weaker NS."
Motivated soldiers, strong SAF
And despite Singapore's low fertility rate, Dr Ng was confident that the SAF would remain strong for many years to come because of strong commitment towards NS.
He said that this was true even among the younger generation and was evident from the fact that more of them would like to do more by taking on leadership positions during their NS. The SAF was looking at whether the force structure allowed having more commanders and officers, Dr Ng added.
This was an example of the feedback that the Committee to Strengthen National Service (CSNS) had heard in its numerous focus group discussions to date and from public feedback sent in via the strengthenNS.sgwebsite.
Dr Ng had earlier visited the focus group discussions that were taking place at the Chevrons. These discussions consolidated feedback on NS from national servicemen, their families and employers.
He said that over the next few months, the committee would be looking at how the feedback from these discussions and conversations could be translated into actionable policies that would make an impact.
Dr Ng added that broad themes had already emerged from the discussions. They include making NS more effective in areas such as matching NSmen’s skills to their vocations and allowing for more volunteers within the system.
But he cautioned that "whatever we do, whether with NS, benefits or recognition, we must never dilute the values of NS, which is duty, honour and country".
Bonds beyond our shores
Outside of Singapore, Dr Ng said that the SAF remained vigilant when it came to trans-boundary threats like terrorism.
Other regional and global security events such as the maritime disputes in the South China Sea and developments in the Korean Peninsula also meant that Singapore could not afford to let down its guard.
"What we want to do in the midst of these threats is to build regional security architecture (among) like-minded partners and to build confidence," he said.
"Singapore is so small. Whatever we buy, people can see; wherever we train, people know; how we train, people know. We want to make friends with everyone. We are very dependent on regional security architecture and that's where we place most of our time..., to try to shape an environment that is as benign as possible, that big powers and small countries can have a say."
The ADMM (ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting)-Plus Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief/Military Medicine exercise that recently concluded in Brunei was an example of this, said Dr Ng.
The four-day exercise involved more than 3,200 personnel, seven ships and 15 helicopters from ASEAN countries and major powers like the United States and China.
Steady investments
Rounding up the interview, Dr Ng said that today's SAF soldier was far more connected than before. Virtual links allowed the soldier to link up with land, air and sea platforms during operations and this is a huge asset to the SAF.
"Our posture is to invest steadily, be careful about what we buy and what we can do. It's a steady, long-term investment that allows us to (continue to) build a strong SAF that is as strong as it is today. We will continue to do that as long as there is commitment to support NS," said Dr Ng.
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