19 June, 2017
Authorities in Australia and Singapore will take part in "joint cybersecurity exercises" under a new cooperation agreement signed by both countries.
The cybersecurity exercises provided for under the new memorandum of understanding (MoU) on strengthening cybersecurity cooperation will "focus on the protection of critical information infrastructure", according to the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA).
The MoU also provides for "regular information exchanges on cybersecurity incidents and threats, sharing of best practices to promote innovation in cybersecurity, training in cybersecurity skillsets … as well as collaboration on regional cyber capacity building and confidence building measures", it said.
Australia and Singapore will also jointly organise a "cyber-risk reduction workshop" for the countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) at the end of 2017, the CSA said.
The MoU was signed on Friday last week by David Koh, chief executive of the CSA, and Dr Tobias Feakin, Australia's ambassador for cyber affairs. The prime ministers of both countries, Singapore's Lee Hsien Loong and Australia's Malcolm Turnbull, were present to witness the signing of the agreement, which has effect for two years.
Koh said: "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."
For further information, please contact:
Ian Laing, Partner, Pinsent Masons
ian.laing@pinsentmasons.com
