DIS SETS UP TWO COMMANDS TO COUNTER CYBER THREATS
//STORY BY NICOLE YONG /PHOTOS BY JOHN ENOCH WONG
With an alarming rise in the frequency, sophistication and scale of cyber threats, it is more important than ever for the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) to enhance its digital defence capabilities.
The establishment of the Digital and Intelligence Service’s (DISs’) two new commands thus marks a positive step forward for the SAF.
Defence Minister Dr Ng Eng Hen said this at the inauguration of the SAF C4 and Digitalisation Command (SAFC4DC) and the Defence Cyber Command (DCCOM) on 18 Mar at Hillview Camp.
Protecting our digital backbone
Speaking to media before the ceremony, Chief of Staff-Digital Intelligence Staff Rear Admiral (RADM) Yong Wei Hsiung also emphasised the need for the DIS to reorganise and strengthen its cyber defence and digitalisation efforts.
“Technology advances very quickly… We’ve taken different parts of different entities pre-existing in DIS – working in digital technologies, working on cyber – and put them together to get discrete commands for better unity of command and clarity of mission.”
Consolidating cybersecurity entities under a single command to counter hostile digital treats, DCCOM has two new groups: the Cyber Protection Group and Cyber Treat Intelligence Group.
CPG will work with the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore and other Whole of Government partners to strengthen cyber defence.
Meanwhile, CTG aims to provide early warning of cyber threats and cyber threat Intelligence assessments.
“Cyber threat actors have refined their methods, used advanced techniques – they also use AI, zero-day exploits and ransomware to target critical infrastructure in healthcare, energy and government sectors,” said Dr Ng.
“The SAF must step up to this challenge to protect our digital backbone and critical IT infrastructures… At the same time, the SAF can harness digital technologies to help us in our mission.”
Proud cyber defenders
Among the men and women serving in these two new commands is Military Expert (ME) 5 S Subash.
The 37-year-old C4 Expert, who joined the SAF in 2010 as an Air Force engineer, enjoys learning new things and now serves as a Staff Officer in the Ops and Training Branch (Cyber) in Headquarters DCCOM.
“What’s very unique (about our role in the DIS) is that we get to touch on military operational technologies. Real-life (cybersecurity) experiences helped me to level up, as well as having people around me to guide me along the way,” he said.
For ME5 Koh Wei Ching who has served in the SAF for over 32 years, her main drive comes in the form of knowing that she contributes to Singapore being a safe and strong country.
“(Being in the DIS,) we manage and connect all the different Services together and allow them to communicate with each other,” said the 48-year-old Deputy Centre Head of C4 Operations Group in SAFC4DC.
“Everything moves so fast (in the digital realm) – it is a challenge to keep up with technology. We need to study these changes, learn how to manage them and prevent (new threats), so that we can become a better defence system.”
