Singapore slings millions into ASEAN infosec

Singapore is slinging S$10 million (around US$7.2 million) into a fund to help infosec in ASEAN (the Association of South East Asian Nations).

According to Singapore's Today Online, the money is for “resources, expertise and training”.

The program was announced by Singapore's minister for communications and information, Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, during the ASEAN Ministerial Conference on Cybersecurity yesterday, October 11.

The money is to be spent over five years, with activities including workshops and seminars, and will also bring technical experts together with ASEAN policy officers, diplomats and prosecutors.

According to the Jakarta Post and the Straits Times, Dr Ibrahim said the region's governments are vulnerable to the “full spectrum” of threats, including cybercrime, espionage, and “other malicious activities”.

That's backed up by studies from outside Asia. In August, Mandiant published its first study into the region, finding that South East Asian businesses were laggards in security. For example, that report said, companies in the region don't know how to protect networks against lateral movement once an attacker has penetrated the perimeter.

It wouldn't be surprising to find government capabilities in ASEAN are broadly in line with those of businesses in the region.

He also urged ASEAN members to ramp up their involvement in international efforts such as the Singapore-based Interpol Global Complex for Innovation. ®