While a strong and capable Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) continues to serve as a deterrent against conventional war, there is an urgent need to strengthen Singapore’s defences against the growing threat of AI-enabled cyberattacks that can cripple critical infrastructure, disrupt essential services and undermine public trust.
In this post-truth era, messages that appeal to emotion hold more sway than fact-based ones. As AI tools evolve, disinformation campaigns that undermine social cohesion will become more sophisticated.
Singapore has done well in maintaining social cohesion and trust in public institutions, which are key to national resilience. It should continue to raise media literacy among the public and foster a sense of community through grassroots organisations.
BOTH HARDWARE AND HEARTWARE MATTER
Singapore has returned to normalcy after the COVID-19 pandemic, which was described by then Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong as “the crisis of a generation”. Is Singapore prepared for the next crisis?
The country has the “hardware” in the form of sound policies, strong institutions, and back-up plans to cope with disruption. Renewing the “heartware” in the form of sustaining public support and personal connection with Total Defence is the more demanding task.
Initiatives such as YouthxHack 2024 and Critical Infrastructure Defence Exercise 2024 have helped cultivate leaders in cybersecurity by posing real-world challenges to participants. They are positive signs that Total Defence can remain relevant in its middle age years and beyond.
