The Singapore Business Federation (SBF), in partnership with Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) and Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore (IMDA), along with nine other ecosystem partners, has curated a series of activities under the MAP Initiative for Cyber Security and Digital Trust to help businesses strengthen their data protection, cyber security defense and response in today’s digital landscape. Held at the Lifelong Learning Institute, the launch of this initiative was graced by Senior Minister of State for Communications and Information Mr Tan Kiat How.

Close to 250 participants across 17 sectors attended the panel discussion titled, “Stay Vigilant: Protecting Your Assets & Responding to Threats” which featured panellists including Mr Dan Yock Hau, Assistant Chief Executive, National Cyber Resilience, CSA, Mr Yeong Zee Kin, Assistant Chief Executive, Data Innovation and Protection Group, IMDA and Mr Rajesh Sreenivasan, Head of Technology, Media & Telecommunications, Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP. The discussion was moderated by Dr Magda Chelly, Managing Director & Chief Information Security Officer, Responsible Cyber Pte Ltd. Issues centered around the current cyber landscape and how businesses could build up cyber resilience to be more effective in addressing cyber threats.

First introduced in March 2021 during the pandemic as a response to the disruptions faced by the business community, the MAP initiative takes a three-step approach to helping businesses in their transformation, namely Mindset shift, Analysis of potential and Pathway assignment. Three runs of the initiative have been conducted, with the first run focused on the Wholesale and Retail Trade sector, the second on the Logistics sector and the third on Sustainability. Over 500 businesses have participated and benefitted from the past MAP runs, acquiring knowledge and skills in digitalisation, internationalisation, process optimisation, and sustainability areas.

While the pandemic has accelerated the adoption of digital technologies, businesses also face an increased number of cyber risks and attacks. Cyber security and digital trust are critical aspects of digital transformation as they protect the digital assets, intellectual property and customer data of businesses.

The fourth run of MAP will focus on helping businesses strengthen their digital security and resilience by bringing together experts from the public and private sectors to share insights and provide support to businesses in the following areas:

a. Raise awareness of the importance of cyber security including its various threats and domains.

b. Provide a platform for deeper engagement for businesses to review and expand their cyber security measures.

c. Introduce solutions and programmes that businesses can tap on to safeguard against and respond more effectively to cyber threats.

d. Build confidence in the digital ecosystem for consumers to interact securely in a transparent, accountable, and frictionless manner.

Mr Dan Yock Hau, Assistant Chief Executive of CSA, said, “Cyber threats show no signs of abating, and CSA is glad to participate in the MAP initiative to uplift SMEs’ cyber defences. We aim to reach out to more SMEs and introduce them to the new CISO-as-a-Service scheme to level up their cyber health. The scheme will also help companies attain national cybersecurity certifications such as CSA’s Cyber Essentials mark. We are heartened that over 100 companies have gotten or are in the process of getting certified and we hope to have more come on board.”

Mr Yeong Zee Kin, Assistant Chief Executive of IMDA, said, “Data is the lifeblood of the digital economy, and as businesses increasingly leverage data to create value and enable innovation, it is vital that they have the right level of safeguards in place to protect customers’ personal data. Through SBF’s MAP initiative, IMDA hopes that businesses would strengthen digital trust by adopting accountable data protection practices to gain competitive advantage in the global digital economy.”

Mr Tan Chee Wee, Executive Director of Advocacy and Policy Division, SBF, said, “It is heartening to know that close to 80% of our participants present today have some level of basic cyber security practices in place and are keen to do more to enhance the cyber defence of their business. SBF, an advocate of CSA’s SG Cyber Safe programme and IMDA’s data protection initiatives, encourages our members to adopt up-to-date cyber security and data protection practices to strengthen digital trust in the fast-evolving security landscape so that they can respond appropriately to threats and protect their digital assets.”