Singapore & Germany to collaborate on cybersecurity's future

Singapore now has Germany on board as the latest partner to sign a joint declaration pledging stronger cybersecurity.

Last week, Cyber Security Agency (CSA) Singapore's chief executive David Koh and German Federal Foreign Office (FFO) director of international cyber policy Dr Thomas Fitschen signed the joint agreement at the FFO.

The declaration states that the two countries will work closer on key cybersecurity areas, including information sharing, joint training and research, and best-practice sharing to promote cybersecurity innovation.

"The inking of this Declaration paves the way for mutual assistance and information sharing which will strengthen the cybersecurity landscape of both countries. We are also excited to be working together to promote voluntary norms of responsible state behaviour to support the security and stability of cyberspace," Koh says.

According to reports, Singapore's Prime Minister was also in Germany last week also met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel to discuss additional ways the countries can work together in both trading, digital industrialisation and other initiatives.

CSA has been widely active in its partnerships with other countries. It currently has Memorandums of Understanding with Australia, India, France, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United States.

The Memorandum of Understanding with Australia, signed early last month, will last two years. That particular agreement includes an ASEAN cyber-risk reduction workshop at the end of the year. 

"Singapore and Australia share close bilateral relations and both countries have a shared vision that cybersecurity is an enabler which supports innovation, economic growth and social development. This MOU shows our commitment to work together to build a secure and resilient cyberspace that will contribute to the progress of both countries," Koh said at the time.

Earlier this year CSA conducted a study that found 86% of 2000 Singapore respondents used strong passwords, one in three did not manage those passwords securely. 33% stored their passwords on a computer or wrote them down; while 31% use the same passwords for work and personal accounts.

"I am encouraged that a majority of the respondents recognise that everyone has a role to play in cybersecurity and many expressed an interest to learn more about it. We will continue to explore ways to reach out to people with the necessary cybersecurity resources and information, so that they can take ownership of their cyber hygiene and support Singapore's journey to become a Smart Nation," Koh said.