SINGAPORE – The Singapore government is calling for sttronger international cooperation and political will are key to addressing increasingly “fractious” cyberspace as cyberattacks continue to target critical infrastructures around the world.
Josephine Teo, Singapore’s Minister for Digital Development and and Information and Minister-in-Charge of Cybersecurity and Smart Nation Group, said cyberspace is “under stress and being challenged on multiple fronts,” citing the rise of state-sponsored attacks and ransomware incidents that have disrupted industries from defense to telecommunications.
“These developments can potentially threaten our national security and our digital way of life,” Teo said during the summit dinner at the start of the Singapore International Cyber Week 2025.
She noted that Singapore has not been spared from such attacks, with nearly eight in ten organizations reporting cyber incidents in the past year.
These developments, Teo warned, could threaten national security and undermine the progress made toward a rules-based international cyber order.
With this, Teo said like-minded governments must work together to address common threats, while the private sector must also be accountable for the systems and data they manage.
“Tech companies own and control significant parts of the digital backbone that the world now depends on,” she said.
“Each of you must act responsibly, be accountable for the security of your systems, and partner with governments to meet the challenges in the cyber domain.”
She cited the ASEAN-Singapore Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence, which has conducted more than 30 programs for over 900 senior officials, as part of efforts to strengthen regional capability.
Moreover, she reported that ASEAN remains the only regional bloc to adopt the United Nations’ 11 norms of responsible state behavior in cyberspace, urging others to follow suit.
Teo concluded her remarks by linking the message of Deepavali, a national holiday in Singapore celebrated this year alongside SICW 2025, which highlights the triumph of light over darkness, to the shared goal of building cyber resilience and trust.
“These are the very same hopes we have for cyberspace,” she said.
This year’s SICW marks its 10th edition, held from October 20 to 23, 2025, under the theme “Shaping the Next Era of Global Cybersecurity.”
The event gathered together policymakers, industry leaders, and experts to discuss the evolving landscape of cybersecurity and the importance of international cooperation in addressing emerging challenges.
