Enhancing and Securing Internet Connectivity Given Prevalence of Work-from-Home Arrangements
Ministry of Digital Development and InformationSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns enhancing islandwide internet connectivity and ensuring robust, secure connections as work-from-home arrangements increase. Mr Chong Kee Hiong asked about measures to safeguard digital infrastructure, to which Minister for Communications and Information S Iswaran responded that networks maintain a 30% capacity buffer. The Minister detailed that IMDA mandates regular audits and redundancy, while the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore enforces cybersecurity requirements and will launch the Safer Cyberspace Masterplan. Future efforts involve deploying nationwide 5G networks and providing cyber-safety advisories for telecommuters to use secure Wi-Fi and Virtual Private Networks.
Transcript
39 Mr Chong Kee Hiong asked the Minister for Communications and Information how will the Ministry enhance Internet connectivity islandwide and ensure that our connections remain secure and robust especially when work-from-home becomes more prevalent.
Mr S Iswaran: Singapore’s digital infrastructure has been able to accommodate the rise in Internet traffic arising from COVID-19. Traffic volume remains well within each telecom operator’s network capacity, with a healthy buffer of at least 30%.
IMDA has also put in place measures to minimise the risk of network disruptions, and ensure a speedy recovery if such disruptions were to occur. For example, IMDA requires key telecom operators to conduct regular audits to ensure that the resilience of their networks is on par with international best practices. IMDA also requires telecom operators to comply with requirements in areas such as redundancy and diversity. The Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) also requires telecom operators that own Critical Information Infrastructure to adhere to mandatory cybersecurity requirements prescribed under the Cybersecurity Act.
My Ministry and IMDA continue to enhance our digital infrastructure for the next bound of growth in our digital economy. For example, we are working with our telecom operators to deploy world-class nationwide 5G networks that are secure and resilient.
In parallel, the Government is also taking steps to better protect Singaporeans and our enterprises against cyber threats. CSA will launch the Safer Cyberspace Masterplan later this year, to secure our core digital infrastructure and safeguard our cyberspace. Earlier in March, CSA also released an advisory that provides tips for individuals to stay cyber-safe while telecommuting; for example, by using a secure Wi-Fi network, and sending important and sensitive information over a Virtual Private Network.