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Updates on Personal Data Protection in Singapore

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The third update on the government’s measures to secure personal data has been released by Singapore’s Smart Nation and Digital Government Office (SNDGO). To increase transparency regarding how the Government utilises and safeguards citizen data, the Public Sector Data Security Review Committee (PSDSRC) made this annual update a fundamental recommendation.

The number of incidents involving government data increased from 108 in FY2020 to 178 in FY2021. While the number of data incidents reported has increased, none of these incidents was deemed severe enough to have a significant impact on the agency or the individuals affected.

The overall increase in reported data incidents mirrors trends seen in the private sector and globally, as data exchange and use continue to grow. The increase also reflects increased awareness among public officials of the importance of data security and reporting all incidents, regardless of severity.

Additionally, the government began developing the Central Account Management (CAM) Solution in August 2021 to improve the user account management process. The CAM solution automates the process of removing and deactivating user accounts that have been deactivated due to staff turnover. Since its inception in April 2022, 32 per cent of eligible Government IT systems have been configured for CAM onboarding.

In May 2022, the government will also launch the Whole-Of-Government (WOG) Data Loss Protection (DLP) Suite. The WOG DLP Suite prevents sensitive data from being accidentally lost from government networks, systems, and devices. To detect risky user activities, the WOG DLP tools employ technical and process controls.

Since its inception in December 2020, the DPPCC has been developing data privacy protection toolkits that agencies can use to promote data protection while not limiting its use. Furthermore, DPPCC has been collaborating with agencies to co-create solutions to strengthen data privacy and key system protection. To reduce the risk of data exposure, these solutions include dataset segregation and stringent encryption standards.

Likewise, the government recognises that it is impossible to eliminate data incidents, but we must have the expertise and capability to respond quickly when they occur. The government held the first central ICT and Data Incident Management exercises in September 2021 to ensure that the public sector is prepared to respond to data incidents at the WOG level. 33 agencies from five Ministries participated in the exercises.

Developing the public sector’s capabilities and instincts in data management and security is an ongoing process. Since May 20, 2021, the government has launched a series of engagement campaigns and workshops aimed at all government employees. These campaigns and workshops are intended to raise officers’ awareness of the importance of using data securely and to educate them on how to do so in their daily work.

Meanwhile, OpenGov Asia earlier reported that the Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC) and the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) have introduced the Privacy Enhancing Technologies (PET) Sandbox to support firms looking to prototype PET initiatives that address common business problems.

The goal of the PET Sandbox is to work with participants from the commercial sector to determine the appropriate PET to use for a given instance and their technological limits to generate guidelines and best practices that will promote more adoption. The PET sandbox will provide a safe environment and a testing ground for PET concepts to achieve this.

Overall, the government’s initiatives have helped to improve the data security posture of the public sector. Singapore will continue to strengthen its security efforts to protect both citizens’ and businesses’ data. The third update on the Government’s personal data protection efforts is available on the microsite “A Secure Smart Nation” (go.gov.sg/publicsector-data-security-review).

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CTC Global Singapore, a premier end-to-end IT solutions provider, is a fully owned subsidiary of ITOCHU Techno-Solutions Corporation (CTC) and ITOCHU Corporation.

Since 1972, CTC has established itself as one of the country’s top IT solutions providers. With 50 years of experience, headed by an experienced management team and staffed by over 200 qualified IT professionals, we support organizations with integrated IT solutions expertise in Autonomous IT, Cyber Security, Digital Transformation, Enterprise Cloud Infrastructure, Workplace Modernization and Professional Services.

Well-known for our strengths in system integration and consultation, CTC Global proves to be the preferred IT outsourcing destination for organizations all over Singapore today.

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SIRIM is a premier industrial research and technology organisation in Malaysia, wholly-owned by the Minister​ of Finance Incorporated. With over forty years of experience and expertise, SIRIM is mandated as the machinery for research and technology development, and the national champion of quality. SIRIM has always played a major role in the development of the country’s private sector. By tapping into our expertise and knowledge base, we focus on developing new technologies and improvements in the manufacturing, technology and services sectors. We nurture Small Medium Enterprises (SME) growth with solutions for technology penetration and upgrading, making it an ideal technology partner for SMEs.

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IBM is a leading global hybrid cloud and AI, and business services provider. We help clients in more than 175 countries capitalize on insights from their data, streamline business processes, reduce costs and gain the competitive edge in their industries. Nearly 3,000 government and corporate entities in critical infrastructure areas such as financial services, telecommunications and healthcare rely on IBM’s hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift to affect their digital transformations quickly, efficiently and securely. IBM’s breakthrough innovations in AI, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions and business services deliver open and flexible options to our clients. All of this is backed by IBM’s legendary commitment to trust, transparency, responsibility, inclusivity and service.

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