Is there a need for new cyber security bill?

Experts call the introduction of new cyber security bill ‘timely’.

The Singaporean government is pushing for the enactment of a cyber security bill in a bid to boost the city-state's information infrastructure and fend off cyber attacks that target governments, industries and individuals.

"We will develop a national cyber security strategy to strengthen Singapore’s information infrastructure. Priority will be given to our critical sectors of energy, water, transport, health, government, infocomm, media, security and emergency services, and banking and finance," the Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI) says.

Among other things, the bill will provide for the allocation of at least 8% of the national budget for information technology to cyber security expenditure in the long-term. According to the state ministry, the bill "will give the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore greater powers to secure our critical information infrastructure."

MCI adds that the bill aims to develop the cyber security ecosystem in Singapore, and grow cyber security talent and manpower.

"We will also seek international cooperation on cyber security to overcome the transnational nature of cyber threats, and work with the private sector to raise public awareness of the importance of cyber security," the ministry adds.

Singapore Business Review (SBR) spoke with several experts to talk about the bill. Specifically, the team from SBR asked them 3 main questions:

1. Is there a need for new cyber security bill?

2. How do you assess the adequacy of Singapore's current cyber security bills?

3. What do you think should be the scope of the new cyber security law?

Here's what the experts had to say

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