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This is Part II of a two-part series. Read Part I here.
In this increasingly VUCA world, governments and businesses across the globe are still looking to ramp up their digital transformation to better citizens and clients in the post-COVID-19 era. This was the focal point of the discussion during the Philippine OpenGov Leadership Forum 2021 – Virtual Edition Day 2 that brought the key decision-makers and influencers together for a strategic level discussion on the issues that matter the most.
Convening the brightest digital minds for a strategic level discussion on the issues that matter the most, the Philippine OpenGov Leadership Forum offered a unique way of tackling challenges in its virtual edition. Intentionally planned, every activity and facet of the event was designed to let delegates garner exclusive insights from the digital leaders as well as demonstrate their thought-leadership.
As always, the forum provided intimate interaction between key ICT leaders from the Public Sector and the Financial Services Industry who influence and determine digital strategies across agencies and organisations.
Apart from informative presentations from renowned speakers, this year’s Forum continued its award-winning OpenGov Gamification Table (OGT) format in the new OpenGov Gamification Virtual Rooms (OGVRs). Every OpenGov Gamification Virtual Room was a virtual heuristic exercise allowing delegates to learn from varying decision-making scenarios just as they would in the physical world.
Philippines’ Road to Digital Government in the New Normal: Citizen-centric and service-oriented
The opening presentation was from Raymund Enriquez Liboro, Privacy Commissioner and Chairman, National Privacy Commission. He shared how digital transformation is being promoted as a national strategy to navigate the new normal and to achieve service orientation, procedural efficiency, and behavioural transformation into the very fabric of government operations.
Modern medical science now relies heavily on data and technology. For example, data and technology helped scientist determine the immune responses against the virus. Similarly, Raymund noted that about nine months into the pandemic, humanity was able to create a COVID-19 vaccine at record speed – in fact, several viable candidates were on the table. As in the health sector, information derived from data is crucial in the public sector’s decision-making procedures and service development.
Knowing its role in citizen welfare, the Philippine government utilised data and technology when it launched an online contact tracing app called StaySafe.PH in the battle against COVID-19. the app is the nation’s official health condition reporting, contact tracing and social distancing system that empowers the public in the fight against COVID-19.
By aggregating all reports, StaySafe.PH enables the government to immediately respond to peoples’ needs and make informed and timely decisions to keep Filipinos safe during this pandemic. The system, which is made available in desktop and mobile version, aims to complement the management of COVID-19 cases, remind individuals to observe distancing measures, record and monitor possible COVID-19 symptoms, and augment manual contact tracing processes.
Raymund firmly believes that digitising the government offers great benefit to the Filipino people and that data is the most powerful asset for any institution in this modern age. But just any asset or resource, data must be managed correctly to be useful. No matter how much data is collected and processed, if it is not analysed or made sense of, it cannot nor will not serve the intended purpose.
The country’s National Privacy Commission (NPC), therefore, endeavours to protect personal data – especially COVID-19 related – from misuse that can lead to discrimination, physical assault and other outcomes more harmful than the virus itself. Positioned as an enabler and as a protector, the NPC issues policies and guidelines to steer the government as well as the private sector in terms of data management during the pandemic.
In the age of COVID-19, poor data governance can do more harm than good. Poor data may give inaccurate views of a situation leading to poor decision-making. Lack of understanding of trends makes it hard to identify future opportunities and bad data prevents immediate responses in fast-developing situations. The government must adopt a digital data governance framework that will define data standards, its required roles and responsibilities within the government for governing and managing digital data. The framework can help determine a holistic way to control data assets so that the government can get the most value from the data.
A digital government should be citizen-centric and service-oriented. It should focus on providing the best services to Filipinos and these services should be accessible and integrated within different government agencies trying to respond to citizen needs despite changing times. A digital government promotes transparency, public accountability and access to information.
A digital government provides its citizens with accurate information uploaded almost in real-time through government webpages and portals. Digitally-enabled services allow the government to function with minimal dependence on the traditional work setup. The digital government ensures citizens have a seamless experience with interacting with the government for services in the digital space.
Only as good as its team, the government should set proper foundations in place and prepare its people for a complete digital transformation.
In terms of a digital government being integrated with the same digital data and information, Raymund cited the example of the country’s Philippine Identification System – PhilSys. Designed as an enabling platform, the system boosts digital transformation of existing services and systems to reduce costs, time and fraud.
It underpins sectoral IDs and databases to enhance accuracy, interoperability, and integrity. The PhilSys unlocks new services and systems for the digital economy, especially online transactions. The PhilSys-enabled services will allow governments and businesses to use technology to change how they do business, shifting to transactions that are paperless, automated and online.
Finally, perhaps the most important factor in a digital government is its ability to protect data. A digital government should not sacrifice data protection and data privacy resilience in its mission to digitise its services and trying to make information accessible.
It must be aware that while data may offer tremendous benefits to society, it is always accompanied by data privacy threats, risks, and harm that is directly proportional to the amount of the data collected used and processed. Recognising the importance of personal data for the benefit of society while at the same time mitigating and preventing risks should be at the heart of every government’s digital transformation. Governments have complete faith in systems, making citizens feel less threatened of availing public services that access their data.
To end his presentation, Raymund said that the government must continue to protect its citizens in the new normal and should be responsible stewards of data. With the help of technology and data, the world will beat the COVID-19 crisis.
Smarter, Safer, and Resilient Cities: Re-opening Our Cities in the Face of COVID-19
The session moved to a presentation from Sameer Sharma, Global General Manager, Smart Cities, Intelligent Transportation & IoT, Intel Corporation about learning how the Internet of Things and data can be leveraged to monitor, alert and protect citizens in modern cities as they begin to re-open.
Data clearly shows there is an explosion in populations in major cities all over the world; 55% of the world’s population lives in cities and is expected to rise to 68% by 2050. With this surge, governments have been striving to find ways to make urban systems and infrastructure more efficient and effective. However, with COVID-19 hitting the world at the end of 2019 Q4, it has created a major pause in city innovation in specific areas.
The rapid spread of the virus affected countries globally on a massive scale. It severely hit areas like trade where the value of global exports increased by 4,000% in the last century; and the travel industry where 4.5 billion passengers boarded flights in 2019 pre-COVID. And on a personal level, human interaction was also reduced by the pandemic.
The pandemic made governments and policymakers looked at their vision for cities – such as better access to education, better healthcare and more opportunities for their citizens – in a whole new light.
Across the world, there are currently 33 megacities (>10 million people), 4,000 cities with 100K+ population and 2.5M towns. Serving this global population are 1.4 billion cars, 246 million trucks, 17 million buses, over 50,000 ships, 25,000 commercial planes and 1.3 million kilometres of railways.
All of these must be and can be managed even in an ongoing crisis. Improving and strengthening cities where the working society is in will be the key and, in the age of COVID-19, Sameer is convinced, that resilience will be critical; new threats and challenges must be anticipated and planned for.
Agencies and organisations across the board have tried to mitigate the effects of the pandemic by using technologies and new operational frameworks. Sameer reminded the delegates that legacy infrastructure cannot scale but disruptive technologies can make everything possible. Digital technologies must overlay the physical world, especially cities.
COVID-19 created shifted the focus specific sector improvement to overall infrastructure upgrade – that is, transforming ‘spaces’ to ‘smart spaces’. It is imperative to learn how to adopt technologies like AI, Cloud, 5G and IoT.
With the re-opening of the economy, safety and sanitisation will take precedence. Automated air filtration systems will be the norm in offices, commercial spaces, and industries where the physical presence of people is a must.
Organisations that use these spaces can utilise technology to upgrade their infrastructure. There are a plethora of tech-based solutions that enable smarter spaces: automated room access, keyless and touchless entry, touchless and on-demand elevators, ambient temperature control, fresh air circulation and quality monitoring, UVD disinfecting robotics, face mask and fever detection using AI, people-counting and spacing-analytics and digital contact tracing initiatives just to name a few.
With fears of the virus in public transport, for local, shorter commutes, most likely, people will use personal vehicles. Where longer travel is necessary by air, road, rail or sea, security agencies will add healthcare checks and screenings.
Schools and universities will opt to use online tools; hotels and restaurants will transition to digital menus, delivery models and contactless payments; retail will be increasingly driven online.
Intel’s Smart City Vision, Sameer shared, is built on effective policies, governance and financing. Transportation, buildings and energy, environment, healthcare, public services and homes stress citizen wellbeing and safety. Intel is a strong advocate for and champions the use of sensors and edge computing, wireless tech, access and core networks, cloud and analytics and AI and Automation to achieve their dreams of a Smart City.
Nations must understand that resiliency is the key and technology enable it. Decision-makers should think big, not just thinking about smarter cities, but better cities. The mantra is to start small and get going with obvious projects and opportunities; then learn, adjust, and iterate.
Sameer urges governments and organisations to the right partners across the industry to build sustainable cities for citizens. In closing, he quoted Nelson Mandela, “It always seems impossible until it’s done.”
Smarter Way Forward – Essential Technology Solutions for a Digitally Connected Environment
The forum next welcomed Yasser Helmy, APAC Commercial IoT Solutions Sales Director, Lenovo who spoke on the future of work that is connected and organisations needing an ecosystem of solutions to make it easier for their employees to get back to a new, safe, and productive workplace.
Yasser conceded that COVID-19 redefined how we think about knowledge work. Now, there is a more dynamic workforce; a workforce with different expressions because of lockdowns and restrictions. The new workforce now has greater flexibility, able to work from anywhere -, be it at home, the office or even third options like dedicated workspaces, cafes, etc. The priority has shifted to a workplace’s experience and safety. And in the new normal brought by the pandemic, digital workplace tools are becoming more essential.
A study says that 72% of knowledge workers prefer a mix of remote and office work, promoting a hybrid approach. About 50% are happy to work remotely between 3-5 days a week without impacting productivity. However, 54% miss collaboration and quality of relationships in the office. The inference is that over half will return to the old working setup sooner than later.
Now, more than ever, employees expect flexibility and safety in addition to a more personalised experience in the workplace. In terms of organisational operations, more companies are trying to take advantage of this new norm working setup by increasing on-demand workplaces and by reducing traditional office spaces that reduce their operational costs. These new workplaces have transformed into destinations that attract and retain talent, support innovation and productivity – unleashing employees and collaboration. People are found to be happier in these creative and innovative workspaces.
Yasser expanded on a three-step framework to help organisations that have people who are returning to their workplaces amid the new normal. First is controlling who gets into the locations, by conducting elevated temperature screenings and touchless building access points such as wave to unlock doors, smartwatches, and mobile apps. The second step is managing behaviours within the space with policy communications such as information regarding certain emergencies and urgent issues that involve employees and thorough workspace monitoring from macro down to a micro perspective. Lastly is being prepared to respond to incidents via onsite contact tracing efforts.
The benefits of a workplace transformation are real, Yasser noted emphatically. He cited examples of global corporations that have already begun to optimise workspace and are now able to provide near real-time occupancy insights with space analytics.
Global energy technology companies leverage augmented reality solutions for employee training and incident-response drills. Some are enabling building operators to deliver frictionless/contactless access, further reducing on-premises cost with the use of mobile-based access controls.
Yasser concedes that most organisations think of the new normal as strictly working from home, but that is not the case. The new normal means that there should be an integration between the old office setup pre-COVID-19 and the ability to work from anywhere. Ultimately, people must have the best experience, regardless of the setup of their workplaces.
Interactive Discussion
After the informative presentations from renowned speakers, the forum moved to an interactive discussion session a time of high-level engagement with delegates from various government agencies, FSI, education and healthcare organisations. Aided by polling questions, this session is designed to provide live-audience interaction, promote engagement, hear real-life experiences and impart professional learning and development for the participants. It an opportunity for delegates to gain insight from subject matter experts, share their stories and take back strategies that can be implemented in their organisations.
The opening poll inquired about delegates’ primary objective in their digital transformation strategies. Close to half (48%) of the delegates said their digital transformation is meant to improve their business processes while 43% said it is for the improvement of citizen and customer experiences.
On the question about the biggest challenges delegates face in implementing digital strategies, a third ( 32%) voted legacy systems and technologies that lack integration capabilities were the biggest. Just under a quarter (24%) signalled that the lack of skilled teams is their primary obstacle.
Participants were asked how they measure the success of their digital transformation efforts. Over two-thirds (68%) said that they are still looking for ways to measure it effectively while a fourth (25%) indicated they already have qualitative and quantitative methods in place.
Delegates were then asked about their most important IT priorities. A majority of the delegates (64%) said digital transformation and innovation are their top priorities while 33% said that improving efficiencies and reducing maintenance costs were the most pressing aspects of their IT strategies.
In terms of IT structures, delegates were asked how AI and Data Analytics impact or improve their current digital transformation strategies. Again a majority (64%) voted faster access to data to improve pre-emptive analysis can be achieved using AI and Data Analytics while 23% said that they need AI-ready infrastructures to manage large sets of data.
On being requested to share their organisations’ biggest pain points in the Big Data value chain, 45% went with data accessibility and sharing as their biggest pain points while 27% said data integrity was the real problem for their organisations.
Regarding the maturity of their data strategies, 40% conceded that it was currently siloed with pockets of data all around the organisation. Over a quarter (26%) indicated that a traditional approach with a central team managing data with all the analytics drivers through their data warehouse.
When asked to rate their organisations’ use of data and data analytics tools for decision-making purposes, 48% said that they needed improvement and better tools while 26% said they were doing good with adequate tools were in place.
Differentiating cloud providers for various workloads got a mixed bag of responses with voters almost evenly divided between price, service, performance and integration.
This led to delegates being asked how much of their organisations’ mission-critical/data-sensitive workloads are to be put onto public clouds this year. About 39% said that less than half of their workloads are set to be put onto the public cloud while 32% said more than half is earmarked for public cloud adoption.
On the issue of cloud adoption, delegates were polled on the biggest challenge CIOs face when complying with the government’s direction to go on the public cloud. About 40% agreed that security poses the biggest challenge, 25% said governance was an issue and 21% said skills to mitigates are lacking.
More mixed results were seen regarding delegates’ main concern for security operations in their organisations. The votes were almost evenly divided among advance and zero-day attacks, difficulties in determining actual attacks due to noise, cybersecurity skills shortages, automating responses and actionable threat intelligence.
Respondents were asked to rate their current level of security operations efficiency to detect and respond to attacks. Almost 44% said their security operations are currently based on log management, correlation aggregation, and basic reporting, while 37% said it was very good in terms of a partial mapping of the prediction, detection and response areas, but needs improvement.
Questioned on what drives their cyber resilience plans, almost half (49%) indicated compliance and incidents were critical factors for their cybersecurity strategies and programmes.
With COVID-19 still making its presence felt in most parts of the world, the delegates were asked about the areas most impacted by the ongoing pandemic. Over 38% said the well-being of their staff took a hit, 35% said their productivity was greatly affected, while 27% said they were able to launch new initiatives because of COVID-19.
Knowing that the pandemic accelerated the digital transformation especially for the working sector, delegates were asked about their perceived outcomes of a digital and automated workplace. About 42% believed that there will higher productivity in the future. The remaining votes were divided into greater collaborations, greater digitalisation, improved employee engagement and resource savings.
On the current challenges they face in the adoption of a digital workplace, 44% said the lack of effective technologies to optimise staff productivity and performance is an issue. Over 38% said the lack of executive leadership to drive a culture of process improvement and effective change management is their biggest challenge. Only 18% said that no clear articulation of digital workplace benefits and a supporting business case hinder their adoption of the new working setup.
Finally, delegates shared their organisations’ capabilities in supporting a remote workforce. Just over half (54%) indicated a lack of collaboration tools for seamless remote work (but they are looking for solutions). A quarter (26%) said they are not looking to implement a fully remote workforce while 20% said they already have the tools to implement a seamless remote working setup.
Conclusion
The Philippine OpenGov Leadership Forum 2021 Virtual Edition ended with the closing remarks from Mohit who thanked the delegates, speakers and sponsors for their active participation and keen insights.
Feedback and conversations with participants clearly showed the need and demand for such interactive forums. With ongoing crisis-mitigation efforts and vaccination rollouts from both the public and private sector, Mohit was optimistic that OpenGov would once be able to host physical sessions or, at the very least, organise a hybrid version in the near future.
In this rapidly evolving and VUCA environment, it is important to learn from one another and also support each other. Adoption and adaptation of existing solutions, platforms and models is a far quicker way of getting things done. And what better space to collaborate than events like the OpenGov Leadership Forum.
For more of The Philippine OpenGov Leadership Forum Virtual Edition: “Embracing Digitalisation to Navigate the New Normal” read Part I here.
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The Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) recently unveiled the pivotal insights gleaned from its inaugural Singapore Cybersecurity Health Report 2023. Conducted between May and August of the previous year, the survey canvassed the opinions of 2,036 organisations spanning various sises and sectors.
The objective was to gauge the landscape of cybersecurity readiness across local entities and inform CSA’s strategic initiatives. The importance of bolstering cybersecurity resilience within these organisations cannot be overstated, as they play a critical role in shaping the digital experiences of Singaporeans through their services and products.
The findings unveiled a mixed landscape: while the majority of organisations demonstrated an awareness of cybersecurity imperatives, there remains substantial room for improvement in adoption rates. On average, organisations reported implementing around 70% of essential cybersecurity measures across various categories. Additionally, a significant proportion, approximately 75%, acknowledged CSA’s cybersecurity certification programmes, Cyber Essentials and Cyber Trust, which serve as national standards for prioritising cybersecurity measures.
Despite these positive indicators, CSA sounded a cautionary note, emphasising the inadequacy of partial adoption. Without the full spectrum of essential measures, organisations remain vulnerable to unnecessary cyber risks. Alarmingly, only a third of organisations had fully implemented at least three of the five categories outlined in Cyber Essentials. This underscores the urgency for comprehensive adoption to fortify cybersecurity posture effectively.
A prevalent challenge cited by organisations hindering full adoption was a lack of knowledge and experience, echoed by 59% of businesses and 56% of non-profits. This is compounded by the rapidly evolving cyber threat landscape, exacerbated by a shortage of skilled cyber professionals. Moreover, a prevailing perception of being unlikely targets of cyber-attacks and resource constraints further impedes progress in bolstering defences.
The consequences of inadequate cybersecurity measures were starkly evident, with over 80% of organisations reporting encountering cybersecurity incidents annually, including prevalent threats like ransomware and social engineering scams. These incidents invariably inflicted a negative business impact, with disruptions, data loss, and reputational damage among the most commonly cited consequences.
While the cost of implementing cyber hygiene measures may seem daunting, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), it pales in comparison to the potential financial ramifications of cyber incidents. CSA emphasises the importance of viewing cybersecurity investment as essential insurance against potentially catastrophic losses.
In response to these challenges, CSA has rolled out a comprehensive suite of initiatives aimed at bolstering organisational cybersecurity resilience. These include cybersecurity resources to raise awareness, tailored health plans delivered by cybersecurity consultants, and certification programmes such as Cyber Essentials and Cyber Trust. Additionally, the collaboration with the Infocomm Media Development Authority has led to the introduction of the Cybersecurity Health Check, providing organisations with a self-assessment tool to benchmark their cyber hygiene and access remedial resources.
Mr. David Koh, Chief Executive of CSA, stressed the imperative for organisations to prioritise cybersecurity and leverage available resources and funding support. Delaying proactive measures until after an incident occurs, he cautioned, would prove significantly more costly in the long run.
The release of the Singapore Cybersecurity Health Report underscores the urgent need for organisations to fortify their cybersecurity posture comprehensively. By embracing a holistic approach to cybersecurity and leveraging available resources and support, organisations can mitigate risks and safeguard against the increasingly sophisticated cyber threats of the digital age.
The Singapore Cybersecurity Health Report 2023 is available at www.csa.gov.sg/cyberhealthreport and the Cybersecurity Health Check can be accessed at https://www.csa.gov.sg/cyberhealthchecktool.
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Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has called upon the youth to take the lead in propelling Vietnam’s digital transformation, emphasising their crucial role in shaping the nation’s future amidst the burgeoning digital economy. The Prime Minister made these remarks during a dialogue held in Hanoi on March 26, where he engaged with 300 outstanding young individuals from various regions of the country.
With the digital economy projected to contribute 30% to the gross domestic product (GDP) by 2030, PM Chinh underscored the urgency for Vietnam to embrace digitalisation as an indispensable global trend. He highlighted digital transformation as a cornerstone alongside the green economy, circular economy, sharing economy, and intellectual economy, essential for realising the nation’s development objectives of transitioning into a modern, upper-middle-income country by 2030 and achieving developed, high-income status by 2045.
In his address, PM Chinh urged the youth to champion digitalisation by raising public awareness, advocating for policy reforms, driving administrative modernisation through digital technologies, and advancing research and development efforts in the digital domain. Emphasising their role as pioneers, he expressed confidence in the youth’s ability to contribute, innovate, integrate into society, and pursue personal growth.
Moreover, PM Chinh called upon the youth to collaborate with the government in establishing a digital government, digital economy, digital society, and nurturing digital citisenship. This collaborative approach is deemed essential for harnessing the full potential of digital technologies to address societal challenges and drive inclusive growth.
Responding to the Prime Minister’s call, the youth presented recommendations to the government, emphasising the need to refine the legal framework governing digital platforms and establish effective communication channels to engage citisens in the digital transformation process. They stressed the importance of inclusivity and transparency in policymaking to ensure the successful implementation of digital initiatives.
During the dialogue, PM Chinh addressed queries from the youth regarding data protection, cybersecurity measures, integration of public services with the national population database, and strategies to preserve cultural identity in the digital age. Acknowledging these concerns, the Prime Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to safeguarding data privacy, enhancing cybersecurity, and promoting cultural heritage preservation in the digital era.
Furthermore, PM Chinh instructed relevant ministries, authorities, and localities to expedite the implementation of the National Digital Transformation Programme, refine existing mechanisms and policies, and create an enabling environment for youth-led initiatives. This concerted effort aims to foster innovation, entrepreneurship, and digital literacy among the younger generation, thereby ensuring their active participation in shaping Vietnam’s digital future.
The dialogue served as a platform for meaningful exchanges between the government and the youth, highlighting the importance of collaborative efforts in driving Vietnam’s digital transformation agenda. With the youth at the forefront, Vietnam is poised to harness the opportunities offered by digital technologies to achieve sustainable development and prosperity for all.
As reported by openGov Asia, Vietnam is undergoing a digital revolution, characterised by concerted endeavours to advance the country’s digital transformation. With aspirations to attain high-income status by 2045, Vietnam’s digital technology sector focuses on mastering technology, fostering innovation, and developing domestic manufacturing capacities.
In this context, inclusivity and collaboration are essential, serving as key drivers to unleash the transformative power of technology and foster economic expansion, ensuring broad societal participation and contribution to the nation’s advancement.
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The Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group (VNPT) has reached a significant milestone with its artificial intelligence (AI) platform, VNPT eKYC, logging over 1 billion user authentication requests. This accomplishment solidifies VNPT’s position as a pioneer in electronic identification and verification solutions within Vietnam.
Since its inception, VNPT eKYC has been at the forefront of electronic Know Your Customer (eKYC) services for over five years, serving a diverse range of clients including banks, financial institutions, telecommunications companies, and e-commerce entities. With over 100 organisations utilising its services, VNPT eKYC has facilitated electronic identification for more than 40 million individuals across the country.
On average, the VNPT eKYC system processes an impressive 600,000 requests daily, with peak days witnessing over a million requests being handled seamlessly. This demonstrates the platform’s robustness and reliability in managing high volumes of authentication transactions efficiently.
The significance of VNPT eKYC extends beyond its technological capabilities, particularly in the context of evolving regulatory requirements. The State Bank of Vietnam’s decision mandating biometric authentication for transactions exceeding 10 million VND (approximately 416 USD) and other significant transactions from July 1, 2024, underscores the critical role of advanced authentication solutions like VNPT eKYC in ensuring compliance and security in financial transactions.
Moreover, the platform’s success highlights the increasing importance of domestically developed solutions in the banking and financial sector. Domestic solutions such as VNPT eKYC offer several advantages, including rapid implementation, cost-effectiveness, adherence to global technology standards, scalability, and high readiness to meet evolving regulatory requirements.
Central to the effectiveness of VNPT eKYC is its advanced AI models, which enable the verification of facial biometric data with an impressive accuracy rate of up to 99.99%. This high level of accuracy not only enhances the security of authentication processes but also contributes to building trust and confidence among users and regulatory authorities.
As Vietnam’s digital economy continues to grow and evolve, the role of advanced authentication and verification solutions like VNPT eKYC becomes increasingly indispensable. Beyond facilitating seamless and secure electronic transactions, these solutions contribute to enhancing the overall digital infrastructure and ecosystem of the country, paving the way for further innovation and economic growth.
Looking ahead, VNPT remains committed to advancing its AI platform and expanding its capabilities to meet the evolving needs of its clients and the regulatory landscape. With a strong focus on innovation, reliability, and security, VNPT eKYC is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of electronic identification and verification in Vietnam’s dynamic digital economy.
VNPT’s achievement of logging over 1 billion authentication requests with its AI platform, VNPT eKYC, marks a significant milestone in Vietnam’s journey towards digital transformation.
Amid a swiftly changing global landscape, Vietnam emerges as a frontrunner in a digital revolution, strategically positioned to harness technology’s transformative power for economic progress and societal development.
It is embracing its digital transformation journey, highlighting collaborative efforts to drive the nation’s digital transformation. The nation’s digital technology industry aims to propel Vietnam towards high-income status by 2045 through technology mastery, innovation, and indigenous manufacturing capabilities.
Moreover, the nation is working to harmonise its regulations, streamline laws, and promote consistency in its legal framework to foster a more favourable and appealing cyber environment.
As the country continues to embrace technology-driven solutions to address emerging challenges, VNPT eKYC stands as a testament to the potential of domestic innovation in driving progress and excellence in the digital era.
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In a significant scientific breakthrough in a space sector, Dr Sarah Kessans has developed hardware designed to operate autonomously in orbit, transforming the study of protein crystallisation in microgravity. This technology provides scientists on Earth with unprecedented insights into protein behaviour, with far-reaching implications for developing more effective medicines and vaccines, among other applications.
Minister for Space Dr Megan Collins lauds Dr Kessans’ research as an inspiring example of how space technology can drive innovation on Earth. This achievement follows the recent successful launch of MethaneSAT, a satellite designed to track and monitor global emissions from space, highlighting the significant potential of space technology in addressing some of the world’s most pressing challenges while bolstering our globally competitive space sector.
The MethaneSAT satellite will be equipped with a highly sensitive spectrometre that can detect concentrations as low as two parts per billion, and it will have high-spatial resolution coupled with a broad, 200-kilometre view path, allowing it to quantify even small emission sources over large areas.
Dr Kessans’ research culminated in successfully launching her hardware on a rocket from the Kennedy Space Centre at Cape Canaveral, USA. This mission also included protein experiments from leading New Zealand universities, including Canterbury, Otago, Victoria, and Waikato, showcasing the collaborative efforts of the country’s academic institutions in advancing space science and technology.
The launch of Dr Kessans’ project results from a strategic agreement between the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) and the US commercial space company Axiom Space. This partnership aims to facilitate New Zealand researchers’ advancement in space science and technology, fostering innovation and driving collaboration between academia, government, and private enterprise.
Dr Kessans’ project has also received government funding for further development through the MBIE-administered Endeavour Fund, highlighting the government’s commitment to supporting cutting-edge research and innovation in the space sector. This collaborative effort between academia, government, and private enterprise is a testament to New Zealand’s growing presence in the global space economy, positioning the country as a key player in space research and technology development.
Previously, New Zealand had collaborated with several countries, including Australia, to advance space research, as reported by OpenGov. The collaboration between SmartSat and the New Zealand Space Agency (NZSA) is an important development. The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two entities aims to accelerate the growth and technological advancement of the Australian and New Zealand space industries, marking a pivotal moment in the evolution of space exploration and innovation in the Australasian region.
This partnership is underpinned by a shared commitment to fostering innovation, driving research and development (R&D), and nurturing a skilled workforce capable of propelling technological breakthroughs in the space sector. The MoU, ceremoniously signed at the NZSA headquarters in Wellington, signifies a strategic alignment between SmartSat and NZSA to leverage their combined resources and expertise.
At the core of this collaboration, it is designated to support joint research initiatives in three key technological domains: Earth Observation, Space Situational Awareness, and Optical Communications. These areas represent the forefront of space exploration, offering immense potential to revolutionise humanity’s perception and interaction with the cosmos.
Minister Judith Collins, New Zealand’s Minister for Space, praised the new agreement as a testament to the enduring collaboration between Australia and New Zealand in space exploration. In a statement on her official website, she reiterated her commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration, recognising the transformative potential of space technology in addressing global challenges.
Minister Collins reaffirmed the government’s dedication to developing the country’s space sector, promoting innovation, and strengthening partnerships with the New Zealand research community, international space agencies, and commercial collaborators. These collaborative approaches underscore New Zealand’s commitment to advancing space science and technology to benefit society and the economy, paving the way for future breakthroughs in the field.
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Mudik is a tradition of returning to one’s hometown that is widely practised by the Indonesian community, especially when Eid al-Fitr celebrations approach. This tradition involves a massive population movement from big cities to their origin areas or hometowns to celebrate the holiday with family and relatives.
The phenomenon of mudik also shows the importance of family values and togetherness in Indonesian culture. It becomes a moment to reconnect social and cultural ties among family members who might have been separated by distance for various reasons, such as work or education.
The Indonesian government often takes special measures to accommodate the travel surge during the mudik period, such as increasing public transportation capacity, providing emergency health services on the mudik routes, and maintaining and repairing road infrastructure.
This year, as a State-Owned Enterprise, the cellular operator Telkomsel provides 4G networks on 14 mudik ships operated by the Indonesian National Shipping Company (Pelni).
Over the years, mudik travellers choosing to travel by sea have faced significant obstacles related to internet access. This condition has left them disconnected from the outside world. At the same time, in the middle of the sea, thus unable to access up-to-date information, communicate with family, or even enjoy entertainment.
“With this latest development, we can provide high-quality services to our customers, ensuring that they remain connected even while in the middle of a sea journey,” said Saki Bramono, Telkomsel’s Vice Director of Corporate Communication and Social Responsibility.
Further, Telkomsel’s 4G service has now successfully reached as many as 1,100 shipping routes served by 14 ships and 83 ports across Indonesia. This innovation results from a strategic collaboration with Telkomsat, a Telkom subsidiary specialising in satellite internet services. Through this collaboration, Telkomsel and Telkomsat present a strong and stable 4G LTE signal on ships, allowing passengers to stay connected to the internet during their mudik journey.
Telkomsat uses the Non-Geostationary Orbit (NGSO) Landing Rights to ensure broad and reliable satellite internet coverage. Saki stated that the initiative to provide 4G internet services on ships, chosen by the community for mudik, is the first time Telkomsel has implemented satellite internet technology. This move not only revolutionises the sailing experience for mudik travellers by sea by ensuring smooth and continuous communication access but also marks a new chapter in Telkomsel’s efforts to overcome connectivity challenges in Indonesia, especially in hard-to-reach locations like the middle of the sea.
To improve service quality and customer experience during the crucial mudik Lebaran period, Telkomsel focuses on upgrading and optimising telecommunications networks and proactively expands and strengthens its network infrastructure. As part of these efforts, Telkomsel strategically increased the 4G network capacity at 70 existing Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) and took a significant step by building 325 new 4G BTS.
These measures ensure that customers enjoy smooth connectivity and high-quality communication in urban areas and mudik routes that often cross areas with limited telecommunications access.
Telkomsel estimates a 15.22% increase in internet traffic during the Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr 2024 period compared to regular days. Of the total increase in internet traffic, the cellular operator estimates the highest increase comes from the areas of Java, Bali, and Nusa Tenggara, popular mudik destinations, at 26.25%.
The second highest increase is estimated from Sumatra, at 16.99%. An increase in internet traffic is also expected in Papua, Maluku, Sulawesi, and Kalimantan by 13.11%. Meanwhile, the increase in internet traffic in the Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, Bekasi, and West Java areas is estimated to reach 4.28%.
Telkomsel has prepared a customer service team that works tirelessly, ready to serve customers 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Customers can easily access this service through various channels, including social media, customer service calls, the MyTelkomsel mobile app, and a virtual assistant named Veronika. Customers can also visit GraPARI outlets spread across various locations for face-to-face services.
These comprehensive measures affirm Telkomsel’s commitment to providing high-quality and reliable telecommunications services, especially during important moments like the mudik Lebaran, where smooth and fast communication is critical.
With the improvement of network infrastructure and strong customer service support, Telkomsel strives to ensure that every customer can connect with family and loved ones without obstacles, making their mudik journey safe and enjoyable.
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Da Nang, a central city in Vietnam, is gearing up to bolster its semiconductor industry with a targeted focus on human resource development. The Vietnam–Korea University of Information and Communication Technology (VKU) recently launched a comprehensive programme aimed at training professionals in integrated circuit (IC) design.
The initiative underscores the city’s commitment to advancing its semiconductor sector. In 2024, Da Nang will concentrate on cultivating a pool of qualified teaching staff through collaborative efforts with the Viet Nam-Korea Information Technology (IT) and Communications University, the Institute of Information Technology under the Viet Nam National University – Ha Noi, and the Da Nang Semiconductor and Artificial Intelligence Centre for Research and Training (DSAC). Support from Synopsys Vietnam Company will further bolster these endeavours.
The training programme, spanning six months, comprises both theoretical learning and project-based training. It encompasses four modules covering Very-large-scale integration (VLSI) Design, SystemVerilog/Verilog/Very High-Speed Integrated Circuit Hardware Description Language, basic digital integrated circuits, and basic analog circuit design.
The inaugural training course for lecturers will host 25 participants selected from prestigious institutions including the Viet Nam-Korea Information Technology (IT) and Communications University, Da Nang University of Science and Technology, University of Technical Education, Duy Tan University, and FPT University. A significant highlight of the programme is the access granted to lecturers to Synopsys’ extensive library and teaching materials, enabling them to develop practical IC design curricula upon completion.
Huynh Cong Phap, Principal of VKU, emphasised the programme’s objective of equipping students with practical IC design skills to facilitate training deployment at universities in Da Nang. Additionally, the university plans to offer short-term training courses in semiconductor circuit design for junior and senior students pursuing majors such as computer engineering, technology, embedded systems and IoT, and technology information.
Speaking at the event, Ho Ky Minh, Standing Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee, hailed the programme as a significant stride in the city’s strategy for high-quality human resource development. He commended the collaborative efforts between DSAC, VKU, Synopsys Group, and the Information Technology Institute under the Vietnam National University in swiftly launching the city’s inaugural IC circuit design instructor training course.
In line with the city’s ambitions, Ho Ky Minh, the Standing Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Da Nang, welcomed Susan Burns, the US Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, expressing his aspirations for enhanced collaboration with the United States within the semiconductor industry.
Susan Burns lauded the programme as a testament to the robust cooperation between government bodies, private enterprises, and universities in nurturing high-tech talent in Vietnam. This collaboration aims to fortify Vietnam’s position in the global semiconductor supply chain. The United States acknowledges Vietnam’s pivotal role in fostering flexible semiconductor supply chains and extends strong support for the industry’s development in the country.
In tandem with the programme launch, the university unveiled the VKU – SSTH centre, dedicated to semiconductor circuits and smart technology. Equipped with 30 computers and proprietary circuit design software from Synopsys, the centre is poised to serve as a hub for training and research in semiconductor circuits and smart technology.
OpenGov Asia reported that Da Nang inaugurated the Da Nang Semiconductor and Artificial Intelligence Center for Research and Training (DSAC) in January this year, marking a significant stride in technological advancement. This initiative underscores Da Nang’s dedication to enhancing its capabilities in integrated circuit (IC) design and artificial intelligence (AI).
The decision to establish DSAC was announced on January 26 by Le Trung Chinh, Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee, highlighting the centre’s role in realising the city’s strategic objectives. DSAC is poised to engage in research, training, and technology transfer in microchips, semiconductors, and AI development, while also fostering international cooperation in these critical domains.
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In a significant stride towards enhancing cybersecurity in the realm of consumer Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices, the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) and the Connectivity Standards Alliance (Alliance) recently signed a Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA). This milestone agreement underscores a shared commitment to bolstering international cooperation and coordination in cybersecurity, with a specific focus on advancing the security standards of consumer IoT devices.
The MRA, signed by Mr Chua Kuan Seah, Deputy Chief Executive of CSA, and Mr Tobin Richardson, President & Chief Executive Officer of the Connectivity Standards Alliance, facilitates the mutual recognition of cybersecurity labels for consumer IoT devices.
By harmonising standards and procedures, the arrangement aims to reduce duplication in testing and costs for manufacturers, thereby fostering a more robust cybersecurity environment for consumer IoT devices globally.
Central to the MRA is the exchange and alignment of information related to relevant standards, requirements, and practices concerning the cybersecurity labeling of consumer IoT. This collaboration lays the groundwork for future developments in cybersecurity certification and labeling schemes, ensuring that evolving threats and technological advancements are adequately addressed.
Mr Chua Kuan Seah emphasised the significance of achieving global alignment for consumer IoT cybersecurity, citing it as a key objective since the launch of Singapore’s Cybersecurity Labelling Scheme in 2020. The agreement with the Alliance represents a significant step forward in this endeavor, bringing Singapore closer to its goal of establishing internationally recognised cybersecurity standards for IoT devices.
By promoting Cybersecurity-by-Design and Cybersecurity-by-Default principles, the MRA incentivises manufacturers to embed robust security measures into their IoT devices, ultimately enhancing cybersecurity for consumers worldwide.
The Connectivity Standards Alliance, formerly known as the Zigbee Alliance, is a consortium of companies devoted to developing standards envisioning seamless interaction to enhance daily experiences. With a membership of over 500 companies, the alliance collaboratively creates application profiles for interoperable products, thereby advancing IoT connectivity and fostering innovation in the industry.
Singapore remains deeply committed to bolstering cybersecurity measures both domestically and internationally. At the national level, initiatives are aimed at fortifying the nation’s digital defences, safeguarding critical infrastructure and protecting citizens and businesses from cyber threats. These efforts include the implementation of robust cybersecurity frameworks, regular cybersecurity exercises and drills, and the promotion of cybersecurity awareness among the populace.
The Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) plays a pivotal role in safeguarding Singapore’s cyberspace to bolster national security, support the digital economy, and protect the digital way of life. Through initiatives like the Singapore Cyber Emergency Response Team (SingCERT), CSA swiftly responds to cybersecurity incidents, ensuring the detection, resolution, and prevention of cyber threats.
As part of the Prime Minister’s Office and managed by the Ministry of Communications and Information, CSA oversees national cybersecurity functions, collaborates with sector leads to protect critical information infrastructure, and engages stakeholders to raise cybersecurity awareness.
OpenGov Asia reported that Singapore, represented by CSA, collaborates closely with ASEAN Member States (AMS) to establish the ASEAN Regional Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT), facilitating information-sharing and enhancing cybersecurity incident response coordination across the region.
Despite a significant increase in scam cases by nearly 50% to 50,376 in 2023 from 33,669 in 2022, proactive cybersecurity measures have led to a positive outcome. These positive trends are attributed to collaborative efforts among various agencies and stakeholders, including the Singapore Police Force, Infocomm Media Development Authority, Cyber Security Agency of Singapore, Smart Nation Group, Monetary Authority of Singapore, and private sector partners.
Singapore’s proactive efforts, including the proposal to host and fund the ASEAN Regional CERT’s physical activities, demonstrate its commitment to fostering regional cooperation and safeguarding critical information infrastructure on a transnational scale.