Heng Chee How on impact of US intelligence leak
No classified information from Singapore has been reported or detected so far in the recent big leak of US intelligence. There were two pieces of information related to the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) but they are not sensitive and already in the public domain - namely, that the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) uses the SPYDER air defence system, and that a British Defence Singapore Support Unit is located in Sembawang to provide services to visiting vessels from Australia, New Zealand, Britain or members of the Five Power Defence Arrangements. Senior Minister of State for Defence Heng Chee How said this in Parliament on Friday (Apr 21). He was replying to an MP’s questions. Mr Heng said the need to protect secrets is “paramount” and a “perennial preoccupation” of MINDEF and the SAF. This includes storing highly classified information in air-gap systems with only internal connectivity and strict protocols for access and monitoring; making security standards an integral part of assessment when MINDEF awards contracts to companies; and proactively mitigating against attempts to exploit the vulnerabilities of personnel using tactics like phishing, which are “an everyday occurrence”.
No classified information from Singapore has been reported or detected so far in the recent big leak of US intelligence. There were two pieces of information related to the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) but they are not sensitive and already in the public domain - namely, that the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) uses the SPYDER air defence system, and that a British Defence Singapore Support Unit is located in Sembawang to provide services to visiting vessels from Australia, New Zealand, Britain or members of the Five Power Defence Arrangements. Senior Minister of State for Defence Heng Chee How said this in Parliament on Friday (Apr 21). He was replying to an MP’s questions. Mr Heng said the need to protect secrets is “paramount” and a “perennial preoccupation” of MINDEF and the SAF. This includes storing highly classified information in air-gap systems with only internal connectivity and strict protocols for access and monitoring; making security standards an integral part of assessment when MINDEF awards contracts to companies; and proactively mitigating against attempts to exploit the vulnerabilities of personnel using tactics like phishing, which are “an everyday occurrence”.
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