Singapore Government appoints Public Sector Data Security Review Committee

The Prime Minister has set up a Public Sector Data Security Review Committee to conduct an extensive review of data security practices across the entire Public Service.

This includes all actions related to the collection and protection of citizens’ personal data by public sector agencies, as well as by vendors who handle personal data on behalf of the Government.

The Committee will be chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security, Mr Teo Chee Hean. Mr Teo Chee Hean is also the Minister-in-charge of Public Sector Data Governance. The Committee will include private sector representatives with expertise in data security and technology, as well as Ministers involved in Singapore’s Smart Nation efforts – Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Mr S Iswaran, Mr Chan Chun Sing, and Dr Janil Puthucheary.

Government review on how they are securing and protecting citizens’ data from end-to-end

The aim of the Committee is to review how the Government is securing and protecting citizens’ data from end-to-end, including the role of vendors and other authorised third parties. It will also recommend technical measures, processes and capabilities to improve the government’s protection of citizens’ data, and response to incidents as well as develop an action plan of immediate steps and longer term measures to implement the recommendations

The Committee will use the experience of international experts and industry professionals, from both the private and public sectors. The Committee will also be supported by an inter-agency taskforce formed by public officers across the Whole-of-Government.

Next step in government data security initiatives

The Government has progressively enhanced security measures to safeguard sensitive data over the last few years. These security measures have included the Internet Surfing Separation policy in 2016 and the disabling of USB ports from being accessed by unauthorised devices in 2017. The Government has also increased the number and types of internal IT audits, to check on agencies’ data access and data protection measures. In 2018, they introduced measures to detect and respond more quickly to cyber threats that target critical government databases.

Recent hacks in public sector databases have created urgency for a data security review

In a release by The Prime Ministers Office, it said that the “Government has acknowledged that recent data-related incidents have underlined the urgency to strengthen data security policies and practices in the public sector. “

While individual agencies are investigating and taking action on the specific incidents, this Committee will undertake a comprehensive review and incorporate industry and global best practices to strengthen data security across the public sector.

This review will help to ensure that all public sector agencies maintain the highest standards of data governance. The government has recognised that it is essential to uphold public confidence and deliver a high quality of public service to citizens through the use of data. The work of this Committee will complement the governments efforts towards achieving the Smart Nation vision.

The Public Sector Data Security Review Committee will submit its findings and recommendations to the Prime Minister by 30 November 2019.

Unveiling Singapore’s Digital Connectivity Blueprint

Singapore’s Minister for Communications and Information, Josephine Teo, unveiled Singapore’s Digital Connectivity Blueprint (DCB), which establishes the orientation for Singapore’s digital connectivity’s next frontier.

Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) partnered with a cloud computing company to launch a Joint Innovation Centre (JIC), a first-of-its-kind in Southeast Asia and appointed 18 high-potential tech professionals as SG Digital Leaders under the SG Digital Leadership Accelerator.

The Blueprint was created in collaboration with the Advisory Panel on Digital Infrastructure, which is co-chaired by Dr Janil Puthucheary, Singapore’s Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Communications and Information, and other industry partners. It outlines strategic priorities and moves into new frontiers to stay ahead of the curve.

Reports cited that Singapore will continue to invest ahead of demand and plan holistically for the whole digital infrastructure stack, including hard infrastructure, physical-digital infrastructure, and soft infrastructure, to guarantee that the digital infrastructure is future-ready.

The nation is committed to staying ahead of the competition by expanding digital connectivity to provide better lifestyles and new opportunities for people and businesses. Hence, Singapore will increase its focus on the following strategic priorities:

Provide enough capacity for underwater cable landings to double in the next ten years.
Within the next five years, build seamless end-to-end 10 Gbps domestic connectivity.
Ensure digital infrastructure has world-class resilience and security.
Create a roadmap for the expansion of new Green Data Centres and push the sustainability envelope.
Increase the use of the Singapore Digital Utility Stack to broaden the benefits of smooth digital transactions.

Also, Singapore will make movements in more fledgling and frontier areas to capitalise on future opportunities:

Push for a Quantum-safe Singapore within the next ten years.
Lay the groundwork for widespread autonomy.
“Green software” to reduce heightened computing by establishing a nascent ecosystem for sustainable software.
Use Low Earth Orbit satellite services to enable creative solutions in critical industries.

The Blueprint lays a solid foundation for Singapore to achieve better opportunities, stronger trust, and empowered communities.

In addition, Tan Kiat How, Singapore’s Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Communications and Information, met with the 18 Singaporeans designated as SG Digital Leaders from 16 companies. This is part of IMDA’s initiatives to develop Singaporean leaders in the ICT ecosystem for leadership roles in the digital economy.

The SG Digital Leaders are founders of high-growth tech start-ups, executives at large corporations (MNCs), and inventors creating world-changing technology. These executives come from a variety of backgrounds, lead regional teams, and have experience in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), data, software, and engineering.

The JIC will provide exclusive access to the latest tech showcases and demonstrations, innovation methodology for successful adoption and deployment, and workshops for design thinking, among other things, to inspire corporates and public sector organisations to accelerate industry innovation and support the growth of promising start-ups.

Modern digital infrastructure is critical to Singapore’s growth and prosperity. Businesses and consumers may access information and services more easily with improved connections, boosting innovation and economic competitiveness.

Process automation and digitalisation increase efficiency and production while decreasing expenses while smart city solutions improve resource management and overall quality of life. A well-developed digital infrastructure ecosystem attracts investments and encourages digital economy growth.

Data-driven decision-making gives policymakers more authority. Singapore’s emphasis on contemporary digital infrastructure positions it as a digital age global leader prepared for long-term growth and development.

Unlocking the Power of Data Analytics and Automation Labs

Organisations may harness the power of data to promote innovation, streamline processes, and arrive at wise decisions by using a data analytics and automation lab. Organisations are given the tools they need to adapt to the changing digital world and gain an edge over rivals in their specialised markets.

In the Philippines, the Data Analytics-Network Grid and Automation Laboratory (DANGAL) was recently launched by the University of Cabuyao (UC) and the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) with the goal of enhancing the research capacity of the Laguna Province.

With a focus on immediate translation to research and practice, leveraging and diversifying DOST PCIEERD-funded resources, integration across the computing and engineering disciplines, and creating a competitive advantage in research and development on a global scale, the UC (PNC) DANGAL seeks to promote community partnerships and industry collaborations.

The Php 7 million (SG$ 203,700) laboratory will also focus on automated warehouse systems, such as goods-to-person (GTP) systems, autonomous mobile robots, automatic guided vehicles, pick-to-light and put-to-light systems, voice picking and tasking, automated sortation systems, and automated storage and retrieval systems.

As part of the Institution Development Programme (IDP) of the DOST, Dr Enrico Paringit, Executive Director of DOST-PCIEERD, stressed the need of recognising cutting-edge research, which calls for cutting-edge infrastructure and fully stocked laboratories. He noted that it is critical that they ensure that the institutions have the resources they need to undertake creative research and development.

According to Dr Enrico, the UC (PNC) Dangal Research Laboratory also demonstrates the institution’s commitment to encouraging the advancement of technology development and grasping the opportunities presented by Industry 4.0.

This lab will serve as a catalyst for collaboration, information sharing, and research advancements both within and outside the walls of this university, as well as in the manufacturing sectors of Laguna Province. He also reminded staff and students at the University of Cabuyao that the UC Dangal Research Laboratory is more than just a physical location equipped with equipment and innovative technology.

He believed that this would be a symbol of the students’ and researchers’ aims and ambitions, as well as a venue where ideas would grow, innovation would be fostered, and solutions to real-world problems would be produced.

Engr Mary Grace Beao, Project Leader at UC (PNC) DANGAL, also inspired UC teachers and students about the relevance of the lab in terms of capacity building and its commitment to national development through research and development. The lab also aims to improve the College of Computing and Engineering’s skills by fostering practical training for both staff and students and by improving data analytics, network, grid, and automation processes between Laguna industrial enterprises and the university.

The UC (PNC) DANGAL laboratory is the city’s first to be financed by PCIEERD’s Institution Development Programme (IDP). IDP is an existing programme that helps universities improve their abilities to conduct research in the fields of industry, energy, and emerging technologies. This programme aids in the creation and upgrading of research laboratories and infrastructure at academic and research institutions throughout the country.

Data Analytics and Automation Labs are built to manage massive amounts of data and are scalable to meet changing requirements. As industries expand, the lab may adapt to meet the increased demand for data analysis and automation.

Also, a lab environment enables organisations to quickly adapt to new technologies, tools, and techniques, ensuring that they remain competitive in the continually expanding data world.

AI for Personalised Myeloid Leukaemia Treatment in Singapore

Researchers from Singapore General Hospital (SGH), A*STAR’s Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS), and Duke-NUS Medical School have used artificial intelligence (AI) to speed up the identification of vital biomarkers that can identify patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) at diagnosis who will not respond to standard therapy.

These patients may be eligible for a life-saving bone marrow transplant in the early stages of the illness with this favourable prognosis.

A genetic mutation that causes a tyrosine kinase enzyme to turn on permanently causes CML, a specific type of blood cancer. In the bone marrow, a blood stem cell experiences a mutation that transforms it into an aggressive leukaemic cell that eventually takes over the creation of healthy blood.

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI), which turn off the tyrosine kinase that the genetic mutation switched on as a result, are the standard treatment for CML. But not everyone reacts the same way to these medications. Some individuals respond very well to the point that their life expectancy would be regarded as typical, at the other end of the range.

Besides, some individuals do not respond at all, and their sickness develops into a severe condition known as a blast crisis that is resistant to all sorts of conventional therapy.

Finding out if a patient is resistant to TKI therapy earlier could make the difference between survival or early death because the only cure for blast crisis is a bone marrow transplant, which would be most successful when carried out during the early stages of the disease.

“Our work indicates that it will be possible to detect patients destined to undergo blast crisis when they first see their haematologist,” said the study’s senior author and associate professor, Ong Sin Tiong of Duke-NUS’ Cancer & Stem Cell Biology (CSCB) Programme.

He added this may save lives since bone marrow transplants for these patients are most effective during the early stages of CML.

Researchers made an “atlas” of cells by taking samples of bone marrow from six healthy people and 23 people with CML before they were treated. The map let them see the different types of cells in each sample and how many of each type there were. Researchers did RNA sequencing on a single cell and used machine-learning methods to figure out which genes and molecular processes were on and off in each cell.

The work found eight statistically important things about the bone marrow cells before treatment. These things were linked to either sensitivity to treatment with a tyrosine kinase inhibitor or strong resistance to it.

Patients were more likely to react well to treatment if their bone marrow samples showed a stronger tendency toward premature red blood cells and a certain type of “natural killer cell” that kills tumours. As the number of these cells in the bone marrow changed, so did the way the patient responded to treatment.

The study could lead to drug targets that could help people with chronic myeloid leukaemia avoid or delay treatment resistance and blast crisis.

Associate Professor Charles Chuah from Duke-NUS’s CSCB Programme, who is also a Senior Consultant at the Department of Haematology at SGH and National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS), cited that the results of treating chronic myeloid leukaemia have gotten much better over the years and that patients now have many options. Knowing which treatment works best for each patient will improve these results even more, and they are excited about the chance of doing so.

The team hopes to use the results to make a test that can be used regularly in hospitals to predict how well a treatment will work.

Singapore’s Vision to be a Global Hub for Responsible AI Innovation

The prospective economic, social, and technological benefits of transforming Singapore into an open and trustworthy global artificial intelligence (AI) hub are substantial. It can place the nation at the vanguard of AI innovation and enable it to shape the future of this transformative technology.

The Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI) and a major technology firm announced their intention to work together to strengthen Singapore’s AI national vision and strategy. This strategic partnership may support the adoption and development of innovative, responsible, and inclusive AI technologies to maximise opportunities arising in Singapore and the region.

Director of the Digital Economy Office at MCI, Andrea Phua, stated that they welcome the opportunity to collaborate with the tech giant as they develop their plans to support the growth of the digital economy and realise the benefits that AI brings to individuals and businesses in a safe and responsible manner.

Singapore’s technology ecosystem has access to next-generation AI infrastructure, industry-leading GPU hardware, the Vertex AI platform, and AI-managed services and tools to implement AI at scale.

The partnership will seek to::

Accelerate the development of home-grown AI technologies: A marketplace for developers and businesses to access the best of AI solutions and foundation models, allowing them to build conversational AI, enterprise search, and other capabilities;
Build a sustainable pipeline of talent for the future AI economy: Skill-building initiatives to strengthen AI capabilities and competencies, including possible assistance for eligible startups to leverage an open AI ecosystem;
Supercharge the adoption of cloud AI technologies in Singapore: Development of incubators and accelerators that encourage developers, entrepreneurs, and companies to innovate with generative AI (Gen AI) technologies; and
Root Singapore’s AI progress in Responsible AI: Possible collaboration in AI governance and Responsible AI principles implementation.

By becoming a global AI centre, Singapore can attract world-class talent, researchers, and businesses. This promotes collaboration and the exchange of knowledge, resulting in innovation and the creation of cutting-edge AI technologies.

Several industries, including healthcare, finance, transportation, and manufacturing, will be transformed by AI. By positioning itself as a global AI hub, Singapore can attract investments, foster local startups, and generate high-paying employment, thereby fostering economic growth and prosperity.

Singapore has the potential to become a centre for AI education and talent development. By providing high-quality training programmes, seminars, and research opportunities, the nation can produce a workforce with AI expertise. This can satisfy the increasing demand for AI professionals and alleviate the talent shortage in this field.

Singapore, as a global AI centre, can serve as a testing ground for AI-based solutions and applications. The nation’s well-developed infrastructure, supportive regulatory environment, and diverse population make it an ideal location for the deployment and development of AI technologies. This enables businesses to validate their products, gain real-world insights, and iterate their solutions.

Through initiatives such as the Model AI Governance Framework, Singapore has demonstrated a commitment to ethics and trust in AI. Singapore can influence and define international standards for responsible AI development and deployment if it continues to develop as a global AI hub. This contributes to the development of AI technologies that respect privacy, impartiality, and transparency.

Singapore, as an open and trusted global AI centre, has the potential to become a regional leader in AI. This can entice regional enterprises and organisations to cooperate with Singaporean partners, resulting in a thriving Southeast Asian AI ecosystem. Singapore’s AI leadership may also assist drive regional initiatives, boost information sharing, and improve the region’s overall capabilities.

Singapore’s Retail Jobs Transformation Map

Dr Tan See Leng, Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Trade and Industry launched the Jobs Transformation Map (JTM) for Retail as a guiding resource to help retail companies plan and ensure that their workforce is equipped with the necessary skill sets to meet evolving business needs.

Following the release of the Retail Industry Transformation Map (ITM) 2025 in October last year, Enterprise Singapore (ESG) and Workforce Singapore (WSG) collaborated with the Ministry of Manpower to create the JTM, which was supported by SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG).

Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF), in collaboration with the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), has been designated as a programme partner for the Jobs Skills Integrator for Retail (JSIT-R).

The JSIT-R is a dedicated intermediary that offers retailers end-to-end solutions for workforce transformation, staff training, and job matching services. When engaging with retailers, the JSIT-R will consult the JTM.

Retail trade associations and chambers (TACs) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with SNEF and NTUC to demonstrate their support for the JSIT-R and the implementation of the JTM. TACs are committed to reaching out to and collaborating with over 1,100 member companies and other retailers to accelerate employment transformation for their workforce of about 94,000 employees.

To ensure that the Retail sector can continue to attract and retain talent while also creating quality jobs, a study was conducted to identify future industry trends as well as anticipate how future job roles and required skill sets must change to create new opportunities and meet evolving business needs.

Four major trends and opportunities have been identified:

Shifts in consumer needs as a result of changes in lifestyle, preferences, and awareness;
Emergence of new retail models (e.g., omnichannel, customer-centric retail experience, and innovative business model) that enable enhanced brand and shopping experiences;
Using data analytics and improvements in retail technology to increase productivity and efficiency;
Create a resilient and agile supply chain to improve inventory management and enable more fulfilling alternatives in an increasingly complicated and turbulent supply chain environment.

The JTM analysis highlighted existing work roles that are likely to change somewhat or significantly, such as sales associates and store managers. Changes such as new technology and shifting consumer needs will transform these jobs.

A fundamental recommendation in the JTM report for adapting to these trends and technology improvements is to transform the workforce through human capital development programmes that include training, job redesign, and skills-based career progression pathways.

Such efforts would allow employees to focus on more value-added work and plan their evolution, which would help the growth of businesses.

Some emerging job roles include Sustainability Specialist, Product Innovator, Customer Experience Manager, Customer Intelligence Analyst, Omni-channel Manager, Digital Marketer, Digital Transformation Manager, UI/UX Designer and Full Stack Developer.

Further, retailers can stay competitive in a continuously changing industry by utilising data analytics and developments in retail technology. It helps them to provide personalised experiences, optimise operations, and boost customer satisfaction, resulting in higher profitability and long-term success.

The utilisation of data analytics and improvements in retail technology is critical for merchants looking to increase productivity and efficiency. Retailers can obtain important insights into customer behaviour, preferences, and market trends by leveraging the power of data analytics.

This data enables them to make data-driven decisions, improve inventory management, personalise marketing efforts, and improve overall operational efficiency.

Equipping Philippine Government Employees with Cybersecurity Skills

In conjunction with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), a giant technology company will award 500 Cybersecurity Career Certificate scholarships to qualified government employees, equipping them with the necessary skill set to identify and mitigate common cybersecurity risks, threats, and vulnerabilities.

Even without prior experience, qualified government employees will be able to acquire the skills necessary for an entry-level position in cybersecurity through the 3–6-month self-paced programme.

Ivan John Uy, DICT Secretary stated that the Cybersecurity Career Certificate will help the Filipino workforce become more globally competitive. This will also empower them with the skills necessary to withstand cyber-attacks and create a safer, more secure online environment.

The DICT acknowledged the generous effort to aid the Philippines in its digital transformation voyage and anticipates additional opportunities for cooperation.

In collaboration with DICT Regional Offices, the ICT Literacy and Competency Development Bureau (ILCDB) is responsible for the evaluation, nomination, distribution, and monitoring of these accounts to qualified recipients of the Career Certificate Scholarship.

According to the International Information System Security Certification Consortium’s (ISC2) Workforce Study, there is a global shortage of 3,4 million cybersecurity professionals. Currently, there are only 202 Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)-certified cybersecurity professionals in the Philippines.

It is essential to create more opportunities for Filipinos to acquire the necessary digital skills and pursue the cybersecurity field competitively. The institution is committed to working closely with local collaborators from the public and private sectors to assist in the development of the country’s next generation of cybersecurity professionals and experts. Interested candidates can contact ILCDB via email at ilcdb@dict.gov.ph.

The Cybersecurity Certificate is a wholly online programme that equips learners with the necessary skills for an entry-level position in cybersecurity, regardless of prior experience. Python, Linux, SQL, Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools, and Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) will be utilised.

Participants will gain knowledge regarding Programming for cybersecurity tasks, frameworks, and controls that inform security operations, utilising security information and event management (SIEM) tools for cybersecurity, detecting and responding to incidents using an intrusion detection system, and performing packet capture and analysis.

Cybersecurity education for government employees is of the utmost importance. Local, regional, and national government institutions handle and store a vast quantity of sensitive and confidential information.

This includes citizen data, national security secrets, financial records, and systems vital to the nation’s infrastructure. Without adequate cybersecurity measures, these priceless assets are susceptible to cyber threats and attacks.

Government employees play a crucial role in protecting these assets and the nation’s security. By studying cybersecurity, individuals acquire the knowledge and skills required to identify potential risks, mitigate vulnerabilities, and respond effectively to cyber incidents.

This includes being aware of the most recent cyber threats, recognising social engineering techniques, and instituting secure data handling and network access practices.

In addition, cybercriminals frequently target government employees due to the valuable information they possess. By training government personnel about cybersecurity, they become more resilient to these risks, lowering the likelihood of successful assaults and data breaches. Hence, cybersecurity expertise is necessary for effective policymaking and governance.

Government officials comprehend the implications and repercussions of cybersecurity-related decisions to create effective laws, regulations, and guidelines. Governments can improve their overall cybersecurity posture and protect critical infrastructure, essential services, and citizen data if they have personnel that is well-informed and knowledgeable about cybersecurity.

Singapore Enhancing Robotics in Food Services

A*STAR, in collaboration with a local F&B-centric robotics and automation SME, has developed a joint research and innovation initiative to foster innovation in robotic platforms for the Food Services industry.

This programme will combine both parties’ Advanced Remanufacturing and Technology Centre’s (ARTC) skills to develop solutions that incorporate Food and Beverage (F&B) domain knowledge, as well as artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and automation.

The F&B-centric robotics and automation SME and A*STAR’s ARTC will invest S$3.5 million in developing a modular vision platform that can assist robotised operations in F&B by assisting these robots to self-navigate and self-calibrate in dynamic and space-constrained environments such as restaurant kitchens.

The combined effort will also use a digital twin platform to establish a digital representation of the F&B robotic system, allowing for real-time analytics that enables remote monitoring and optimisation of operations, accelerating the deployment of new robotic systems and decreasing operational downtime.

The combined research and innovation project embodies both A*STAR’s and the firm’s desire to leverage mutual capabilities to perform research combining F&B domain expertise, robotics, automation, AI, vision, and digital twin technologies.

The partnership is sure that the technology they produce will assist support and building the digital and automation capabilities of F&B firms. Besides, they believe that this will help Singapore establish itself as a major F&B robotics and automation hub, increase the efficiency of Food Service personnel, and help address the sector’s manpower problem and rising operational expenses.

The collaborative effort intends to create solutions that will enable the Food Services industry to automate operations and boost efficiency, lowering the amount of repetitious and physically demanding work and allowing F&B personnel to focus on higher-value jobs.

A*STAR’s ARTC engages with local enterprises to co-develop breakthrough technologies and co-innovate industry solutions to seize new growth possibilities locally and worldwide, according to Dr David Low, CEO of A*STAR’s ARTC.

He added that such public-private collaborations are critical in bringing complementary expertise together to address problem statements and increase productivity and efficiency in the Fast-Moving Food Services industry and beyond.

The Food Services business is set to expand and evolve further. Digitalisation and automation are critical to assisting F&B businesses in thriving and overcoming obstacles such as a labour shortage.

This collaboration will develop solutions to assist F&B enterprises in optimising their operations. They anticipate more similar cooperation between innovation and IT ecosystem partners to boost F&B company growth.

Drive innovation is critical for the food services industry because it has the potential to revolutionise operations and address significant concerns. Innovation serves as fuel for growth and sustainability in an era characterised by technical advancements and shifting consumer expectations.

Automation streamlines operations and reduces reliance on manual labour. Tasks such as food preparation, cooking, and serving can be carried out more efficiently by adding robotics, AI, and automation technology, resulting in higher productivity and lower operational expenses.

Improved consumer experiences are made possible by innovation. From self-ordering kiosks and smartphone apps to personalised recommendations and delivery drones, technology advancements improve consumer convenience, speed, and personalisation. This results in increased client happiness and loyalty, which ultimately drives corporate success.

It is also critical in addressing labour shortages. With rising labour costs and a diminishing workforce, automation and robotics provide options to fill the gaps, allowing food service enterprises to remain efficient and successful.

In addition, food service industry innovation can reduce environmental effects. Through innovative technologies, sustainable practices such as waste reduction, energy efficiency, and eco-friendly packaging solutions can be integrated, leading to a greener and more socially responsible industry.

June 8, 2023

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Singapore Government appoints Public Sector Data Security Review Committee

Government review on how they are securing and protecting citizens’ data from end-to-end

Next step in government data security initiatives

Recent hacks in public sector databases have created urgency for a data security review

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