Singapore Government add Mobile Booths and increase Token Collection points to enhance TraceTogether Programme

Singapore Government has upped its distribution, public awareness and citizen engagement strategy for the TraceTogether Programme as it looks to reopen its economy further by allowing more businesses and social activities to resume, the ability to do contact tracing quickly, and at scale, becomes more critical to reduce the risk of new transmission chains forming.

They have added mobile booths informing the public of how to set-up TraceTogether and added many more TraceTogether token collection points across the country.

The TraceTogether (TT) Programme – comprising the TT App and the TT Token – provides the initial list of close contacts of COVID-19 positive cases.

Together with SafeEntry (SE) and associated digital systems, the TT Programme has enabled the contact tracing teams to reduce the time taken to identify and quarantine a close contact from 4 days to less than 2 days on average.

The TT Programme also supplements manual contact tracing by identifying close contacts who are not known to index cases, or cannot be recalled by cases.

Mobile Booths to Support Public Adoption of the TraceTogether Programme

The Smart Nation and Digital Government Group (SNDGG) will be deploying roving TT mobile booths to provide a convenient set-up for the public to adopt the TT Programme.

Starting from 2 October 2020, TT mobile booths will be deployed to about 100 locations for public to collect their Tokens, or learn how to download and use the App. The booths will be set up at areas with high footfall such as malls.

The TT mobile booths are an additional avenue for the public to collect their TT Token for themselves and their family members.

TraceTogether Token Collection available at more Community Centres throughout Singapore

The nation-wide distribution of TT Tokens commenced on 14 September 2020 at Community Centres in the Jalan Besar and Tanjong Pagar regions. To date, more than 100,000 Tokens have been distributed.

From 1 October 2020, the distribution exercise will be expanded to 18 Community Centres in the Ang Mo Kio, Bishan, Toa Payoh and Sengkang regions.

Singapore: Magnetic Muscle Therapy Reversing Ageing Trends

Digital innovation empowers ageing individuals by promoting better health management, social engagement, cognitive stimulation, safety, and access to resources, ultimately improving their overall quality of life.

While ageing is frequently accompanied by a deterioration in functional mobility, loss of muscle strength, and an increase in body fat, this trend could be reversed thanks to a novel magnetic muscle therapy developed by researchers at the National University of Singapore (NUS).

Weekly exposure to very low levels of proprietary pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) using the BIXEPS device invented by NUS researchers in 2019 is associated with significant improvements in mobility and body composition after 12 weeks, particularly in older people, according to a recent community study conducted in Singapore involving 101 participants aged 38 to 91 years old. After three months of magnetic muscle therapy, participants reported reduced pain perception.

Associate Professor Alfredo Franco-Obregón, who led the research team and is a Principal Investigator with NUS iHealthtech and co-founder of QuantumTX, says that the BIXEPS device uses a specific magnetic signature to target the muscles in a user’s leg and create metabolic activity in the cells, just like when a person exercises.

Studies from the past showed that when magnetic muscle treatment was used on one leg after knee surgery, the whole body’s metabolism improved. This was mostly seen as changes in the blood lipid profiles. That is, the effect went beyond just the leg that was treated and led to changes throughout the whole body.

After eight weeks of treatment, 72% of individuals reported improved skeletal muscle maintenance along with reductions in total and visceral fats, with 85% of subjects reporting improvements in functional mobility after 12 weeks, most notably among the elderly.

These encouraging findings suggest that this PEMF-based technology could be a beneficial adjunct to traditional geriatric therapies aimed at lowering the prevalence of frailty and metabolic diseases in the elderly population.

Importantly, visceral fat is an inflammatory fat that has been linked to a variety of metabolic diseases, including diabetes. Previous research has found that people in Southeast Asia retain visceral fat more persistently than persons in other regions of the world, despite exercise.

As a result, people in Southeast Asia get diabetes at a lower BMI than persons of other ethnicities. This has created a significant challenge for the Southeast Asian health business. Researchers finally have a solution to this local healthcare dilemma in the form of magnetic field therapy.

Based on the promising findings of the community study, the team has collaborated with research groups in the United States and Hong Kong to perform randomised controlled clinical studies to further validate the advantages of frailty across various ageing groups.

Since 2022, the team has also begun a senior-focused study with 200 elders across four Singapore community care centres to assess how the technology can improve function and ease chronic problems. This research is projected to be completed in 2023.

Real-world pilot data from current community programmes have also shown promise of improved HbA1c control – the most common measure for diabetes progression – after beginning weekly BIXEPS sessions.

The research team is currently collaborating with the Singapore General Hospital to perform a clinical trial to evaluate further the therapeutic potential of PEMF-based therapies for diabetes progression management.

India’s Urban Future: Innovations in the Smart Cities Mission

The consultative committee of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs was briefed by Hardeep S. Puri, the Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, about the progress made in the Smart Cities Mission. Minister Puri highlighted the significant advancements taking place within the 100 smart cities and their positive impact on India’s urban future. He underscored the vital role played by Special Purpose Vehicles (SPV) in effectively managing and implementing the mission at the city level, thus maximising its potential.

The Smart Cities Mission, launched in June 2015, seeks to enhance the lives of citizens by implementing “smart solutions” that focus on core infrastructure, a clean and sustainable environment, and a high quality of life. Under the initiative, 100 cities were selected through a two-stage competition to be developed as Smart Cities. According to the government, the regions are showcasing satisfactory advancements.

The Smart Cities Mission is overseen by an Apex Committee led by the Secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. They regularly provide updates on the implementation status of projects through the Real-Time Geographical Management Information System (GMIS). According to the Smart Cities Mission Statement and Guidelines, each city establishes a Smart City Advisory Forum (SCAF) at the local level to facilitate collaboration and provide guidance. The SCAF comprises various stakeholders such as Members of Parliament, Members of the Legislative Assembly, the Mayor, the District Collector, local youth, technical experts, and other relevant parties. So far, the Smart Cities have convened more than 756 SCAF meetings.

In addition, at the state level, a High Powered Steering Committee (HPSC) chaired by the Chief Secretary has been established. This committee plays a crucial role in overseeing the Smart Cities Mission within the state. Furthermore, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs appoints Nominee Directors to the Boards of Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) who actively monitor the progress of projects in their respective cities.

The Committee conducted visits to various project sites in Goa, including the ‘Mandovi Riverfront Promenade’, ‘Flood Mitigation Works’, and the Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC). During these visits, the status and progress of the projects were discussed as of 1 May 2023. It was highlighted that the Smart Cities Mission comprises approximately 7,800 projects with a total value of INR 1.8 trillion (US$ 21 billion). Out of these, more than 5,700 projects (73% by number) worth INR 1.1 trillion (US$ 13.3 billion) (60% by value) have already been completed. The remaining projects are expected to be completed by June 2024. Also, INR 38,400 crores (US$ 4.6 billion) have been released under the Smart Cities Mission as of 1 May, out of which INR 35,261 crores (US$ 4.2 billion) has been used.

The Ministry maintains regular communication and engagement with the states and Smart Cities through video conferences, review meetings, field visits, regional workshops, and more. These interactions occur at different levels and serve multiple purposes, including assessing the performance of cities and providing necessary support and guidance for their improvement.

An official said that ICCCs play a crucial role in enhancing situational awareness through the utilisation of advanced technologies. These centres provide comprehensive visualisations that enable civic officials to effectively address various urban functions and handle daily tasks, issues, and emergencies following detailed standard operating procedures. ICCCs have evolved into the central hubs of these smart cities, showcasing the effective application of technology in fortifying urban management.

The Philippines National Cybersecurity Plan Shaping a Secure Cyber Landscape

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) invites all stakeholders, advocates, and concerned individuals to submit feedback, comments, and suggestions on the drafted National Cybersecurity Plan (NCSP) 2023-2028 to provide a safe and reliable cyberspace for all Filipinos.

The goal of the public consultation on the draught of the NCSP 2023-2028 is to improve the final document, which is expected to be released by the end of 2023. All parties interested may offer their suggestions and comments to the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Cybersecurity and Upskilling via email at oascu@dict.gov.ph. The outline NCSP 2023-2028 is organised around six (6) pillars, including:

Enactment of the “Cybersecurity Act” to strengthen the policy framework;
Secure and protect Critical Information Infrastructures (CII);
Proactively defend the government and people in cyberspace;
Operational and well-coordinated network of Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) and SOC;
Capacitate workforce in cybersecurity; and
Enhancing international cooperation.

Ivan John E. Uy, secretary of the DICT, emphasised the importance of concerted action from all interested parties to create a trusted, dependable, and safe online environment for Filipinos.

“The NCSP 2023-2028 shows the importance of convergence among all government agencies in delivering our mission. It outlines steps on how each government agency can coordinate all their cybersecurity initiatives through the National Cybersecurity Inter-Agency Committee (NCIAC). It also harmonises all organisation CERT and defined two national-level CERTs,” said Secretary Ivan.

He also stated that there was a steady increase in internet-based transactions during and after the COVID-19 outbreak. The country gradually evolved to cashless transactions as electronic commerce and e-banking became commonplace, mostly because of inventions from the private sector. Cybercrime incidences rose as these advanced.

Cyberthreat actors took use of flaws and vulnerabilities in processes, technology, and human behaviour. In response to these changes, the National Cybersecurity Plan 2023–2028 (NCSP 2023–2028) was created.

The goal of DICT is to give every Filipino access to a trusted, secure, and reliable online environment. This demonstrates the necessity of protecting the government and the public online, as well as the significance of fostering the kind of trust required for online commerce to flourish.

The NCSP’s second iteration drew on the preceding strategy’s results while also demonstrating a policy shift. DICT is now attempting to establish a Cybersecurity Act to balance the economic linkages impacting noncompliance with cybersecurity legislation.

The new strategy also promotes policy based on standards and risk-based methods. Individual organisations, rather than entire sectors, are designated as CIIs if they fail, depending on their size and influence. A renewed emphasis on developing the cyber workforce, as well as the significance of improving international collaboration in cybersecurity, was also emphasised.

Most particularly, the NCSP 2023-2028 demonstrates the importance of collaboration among all government departments in carrying out its mandate. It details how each government agency can use the National Cybersecurity Inter-Agency Committee (NCIAC) to coordinate all their cybersecurity initiatives. It also unifies all organisation CERTs and establishes two national-level CERTs.

Though the NCSP 2023-2028 has a sublime goal, DICT thinks this strategy can be successful with the assistance of all government agencies, the private sector, and all departments of government.

The National Cybersecurity Plan must be developed by DICT in accordance with RA 10844, hence, the National Cybersecurity Plan 2028 (NCSP 2028) draft is meant to serve as a guide for consultations, with the goal of using comments to improve the final version of the NCSP, which is scheduled to be released before the end of 2023.

New Zealand Balancing Productivity and Privacy in the Age of AI

The Privacy Commissioner, Michael Webster, has issued warnings regarding safeguarding personal information while utilising artificial intelligence (AI), addressing the private and public sectors. In releasing his expectations, Webster emphasised the need for adaptability as technological advancements in AI continue to evolve rapidly.

Webster’s emphasis on organisations exercising caution in handling personal information within the realm of AI highlights the critical need to balance the potential gains in productivity with the inherent privacy risks involved. With the increasing reliance on AI systems like ChatGPT, it becomes crucial to address the challenges associated with managing and controlling the information fed into these systems.

One key concern lies in the difficulty of retrieving information once it has been input into AI systems. Unlike traditional data storage methods, where retrieval is relatively straightforward, AI systems often lack easily accessible mechanisms to retrieve specific information. This poses significant challenges in ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and privacy of the data that has been processed.

Furthermore, the controls governing the usage of personal information within AI systems are often limited in scope. As AI technologies rapidly advance, it becomes imperative to establish robust frameworks and mechanisms to regulate and govern the use of personal data. Without adequate controls, there is a risk of unauthorised access, misuse, or inappropriate handling of sensitive information, leading to privacy breaches and potential harm to individuals.

Webster’s warning reminds organisations to carefully evaluate and address these concerns before implementing AI solutions. Organisations must thoroughly assess AI’s potential risks and implications, especially when handling personal or confidential information. This includes considering the AI system’s privacy impact, security measures, and ethical considerations.

In light of these concerns, Webster emphasised that agencies should conduct comprehensive due diligence and privacy analyses to ensure compliance with the law before venturing into the realm of generative AI. He advised against incorporating personal or confidential information into AI systems unless explicit confirmation is obtained that such data will not be retained or reused. One alternative approach could involve removing any re-identifiable information from input data.

Considering the potential privacy implications, staff members were encouraged to evaluate the necessity and proportionality of using AI and to explore alternative methods if available. Seeking approval from supervisors and privacy officers and transparently informing customers about the use of AI were recommended practices. Additionally, Webster emphasised the importance of human review of any AI-generated information before taking any consequential actions based on it.

Webster further outlined the steps agencies should undertake when considering the implementation of AI. These include conducting due diligence, performing a privacy analysis, and carrying out a Privacy Impact Assessment. Seeking feedback from impacted communities, including Māori, and requesting clarification from AI providers regarding privacy protections designed into their systems were identified as critical components of the evaluation process.

Before this, the commissioner had communicated his concerns to government agencies, cautioning against the hasty adoption of AI without proper assessment. He underscored the need for a holistic, government-wide response to address the emerging challenges posed by this technology.

The Privacy Commissioner’s warnings emphasise the imperative of preserving privacy rights when utilising AI. Organisations must exercise caution, conduct thorough assessments, and implement adequate safeguards to protect personal information in the face of AI’s evolving landscape.

Fuelling Digital Growth: Singapore’s Continuing ICT Investments

Singapore will spend about S$3.3 billion on information and communications technology (ICT) this year. This is on top of the money it has spent in previous years to improve its digital infrastructure and make services better for people, companies, and government workers.

Over the last five years, the government has spent about S$16 billion on ICT. In both FY 2021 and FY 2022, it was expected that S$3.8 billion would be spent on ICT. In the past, attempts to combine the demand for ICT services through bulk tenders and to update the back-end ICT infrastructure of the government through the cloud have saved money.

“Our ICT investments in the past five years have laid a firm foundation for the next bound of digital government,” said Kok Ping Soon, Chief Executive, GovTech.

He added that the Government will maintain a high level of ICT spending in 2023, as they continue to push ahead with the cloud strategy and find more ways to work closely with the industry through co-developed projects and bulk tenders. Providing opportunities for SMEs to take on government projects is also important, as SMEs form a key pillar of our Smart Nation efforts, he continued.

More than 30% (S$1 billion) of what the government plans to spend on ICT in FY 2023 will go towards developing apps for the Government Commercial Cloud (GCC).

Since the “Cloud First” Strategy was announced in October 2018, about 66% of qualified government systems have been moved to the Government Commercial Cloud (GCC). This makes it possible to reach the goal of 70% by the end of 2023.

In FY 2023, co-developed projects with industry are projected to be worth about 45% (S$1.49 billion) of all spending, up from 27% in FY 2022 and 20% in FY 2021.

Co-developed projects save time and money by using the SG Tech Stack and other government platforms for security compliance and interoperability, as well as reusing well-tested software components to build apps quickly.

Currently, 27 companies are qualified to work with the government on projects using the SG Tech Stack. When the S$0.62 billion Agile Co-Development and ICT Professional Services bulk tender is called in FY 2023, this list of providers will be updated.

In co-developed projects, engineers and developers from the government may oversee building one part while their peers from the private sector build another. This is different from the usual outsourced approach, in which a vendor builds the whole project based on what the government agency wants.

As a result of the Government’s planned ICT spending for FY 2023, a lot more projects will be given out through bulk bids. About 76%, or S$2.5 billion, of the planned spending will go to these projects. In FY 2022, only 27% of the spending went to these projects. By putting together all the requests for the same ICT goods and services, bulk tenders have helped public agencies save money, time, and effort.

This year, there are three important bulk contracts worth a total of S$1.85 billion: Enterprise Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), Hosting Support Services (HSS), and Personal Computers & Printer.

Small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) still have a lot of chances, as nearly 80% of all procurement opportunities for FY 2023 will be open to SMEs, which is the same as the previous year.

The Ministry of Sustainability and Environment previously indicated that starting in 2024, government ICT contracts will include environmental sustainability criteria.

Suppliers who participate in the forthcoming PC and Printer bulk tender must follow energy and environmental regulations and reuse packaging and materials.

Additionally, GovTech is trying to optimise code reuse for cloud projects in FY 2023 and reduce the carbon footprint of the cloud infrastructure in GCC and government data centres to satisfy BCA-IMDA Green Mark criteria.

Digital India Act: Building a Trustworthy Digital Realm

The Minister of State of Electronics and Information Technology, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, recently held the Digital India Dialogues outlining the principles of the Digital India Act (DIA). This forthcoming legislation is designed to replace the current IT Act and establish a robust legal structure that safeguards the rights of digital nagriks (citizens). The first draft of the Act will be released in early June.

According to Chandrasekhar, with India soon expected to have 1.3 billion people accessing the internet, it is crucial for digital citizens to approach the online realm without fear or mistrust, particularly as numerous government services transition to digital platforms. The Act has placed significant emphasis on the principles of safety and trust, which have “a huge section in the DIA”. The Minister also expressed concerns regarding the weaponisation of misinformation and disinformation, particularly with the added challenge of AI-driven deep fakes and stressed the need to address these issues effectively.

During discussions with stakeholders, the Minister addressed various concerns and provided clarifications on several issues. Regarding intersecting regulation by sectoral regulators, the DIA will enable sectoral regulators like the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), and other ministries to establish additional safeguards. The aim is to harmonise different laws, and the input of sectoral regulators will be sought in this process.

In terms of regulating emerging technologies, the focus will be on assessing potential user harm caused by AI. The objective is to ensure that emerging technologies do not pose any harm to digital citizens. For blockchain and Web 3.0, the industry will be encouraged to propose guardrails. The intention is not to impose bans on innovations unless they are linked to user harm. The goal is to lead in the fields of Web 3.0 and AI while defining appropriate guardrails. The Minister expressed a preference to avoid creating additional compliance layers through excessive regulation.

Regarding compliance for startups, the Minister explained that in all recent laws, such as the CERT-In directions released in April 2022 or the upcoming Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2023, startups have either been provided exemptions or an extended period for compliance.

The proposed law will be an important pillar of the Global Standard Cyber law framework that the government is formulating to catalyse India’s digital economy goals. The Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, National Data Governance Framework policy, the recent amendments to the IT Rules, CERT-In guidelines will form the other elements of this framework.

The Digital India Dialogue session witnessed the participation of a wide array of stakeholders from the technology ecosystem, including industry associations, startups, IT professionals, think tanks, and legal experts. The session brought together approximately 300 stakeholders, with 125 individuals attending in person and 175 participating virtually. A similar dialogue was held in Bengaluru in March this year. These consultations are in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s consultative approach to law and policy-making. This is the first time that the government held consultations on the principles of the Bill.

Digital India is an ambitious initiative launched by the government with the vision of transforming the country into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy. It aims to leverage the power of technology to bridge the digital divide, empower citizens, and enhance the efficiency and transparency of government services.

Indonesia’s Banking Sector Prioritising Cybersecurity

Indonesia’s National Consumer Protection Agency (BPKN) is committed to protecting consumers’ interests and ensuring Indonesia’s banking sector’s integrity. In light of the increasing threats posed by cyber-attacks, BPKN recognises the significance of robust security measures, particularly for financial institutions like BSI operating in the realm of Islamic banking.

Mufti Mubarak, the Deputy Head of BPKN, said that the agency is committed to ensuring boosting cybersecurity further. He emphasised that the agency will diligently monitor all cyber incidents until they are resolved.

By asserting its commitment to comprehensive cyber security, BSI demonstrates its dedication to protecting its customers’ confidential information, financial transactions, and the overall integrity of its banking operations. BPKN’s guarantee instils confidence in BSI’s customers and the general public, assuring them that BSI has taken significant measures to fortify its cyber defences.

As technology advances, cybercriminals continue evolving tactics, making it crucial for financial institutions to remain vigilant and proactive in countering potential threats. BPKN’s unwavering vigilance and commitment to overseeing this matter ensures that cyber-attacks targeting BSI will be swiftly addressed and resolved.

The report stated that Indonesia’s cybersecurity index score was 38.96 out of 100 in 2022. This figure places Indonesia as the third lowest among G20 countries. On a global scale, Indonesia ranks 83rd out of 160 countries on the list mentioned in the report. Enhancing cyber security requires significant support and collaboration from relevant stakeholders.

This support is evidenced by the National Cyber and Crypto Agency (BSSN) and the Indonesian ICT Association are recently actively engaged in cybersecurity initiatives. They coordinated a seminar to educate and create awareness about cyber security. The workshop’s objective is to enhance public understanding of the significance of cyber security in the digital era.

The field of cybersecurity has long been confronted with various challenges. In order to establish a strong and resilient cyber security framework, it is crucial for all stakeholders, including the private sector and the government, to collaborate and foster more effective models that can proactively anticipate and mitigate future cyber attacks, which often transpire unpredictably.

Furthermore, the government, through Presidential Regulation Number 53 of 2017 concerning the National Cyber and Crypto Agency (BSSN), and its amendment, Presidential Regulation Number 133 of 2017, established the BSSN. The agency is responsible for effectively and efficiently implementing cybersecurity by utilising, developing, and consolidating all elements related to national cybersecurity.

BPKN’s dedication to upholding the highest standards of cybersecurity is a testament to its role as a consumer protection agency, safeguarding the rights and interests of individuals who entrust their financial well-being to institutions like BSI.

BSSN formulates the Indonesian Cyber Security Strategy as a shared reference for all stakeholders involved in national cyber security. This strategy is a framework for acquiring and developing cybersecurity policies within their respective institutions.

Their commitment to diligently resolving this case demonstrates their tireless efforts and dedication to addressing the emerging challenges posed by the rapidly evolving digital landscape. By proactively tackling these challenges head-on, they strive to foster a resilient and secure banking ecosystem that safeguards the interests of all stakeholders involved.

May 29, 2023

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Singapore Government add Mobile Booths and increase Token Collection points to enhance TraceTogether Programme

Singapore: Magnetic Muscle Therapy Reversing Ageing Trends

India’s Urban Future: Innovations in the Smart Cities Mission

The Philippines National Cybersecurity Plan Shaping a Secure Cyber Landscape

New Zealand Balancing Productivity and Privacy in the Age of AI

Fuelling Digital Growth: Singapore’s Continuing ICT Investments

Digital India Act: Building a Trustworthy Digital Realm

Indonesia’s Banking Sector Prioritising Cybersecurity

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