CSA Signs MOU with India to Strengthen Cooperation on Cyber Security

MOU brings together Computer Emergency Response Teams for better incident prevention and response

The Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Department of Electronics and Information Technology of India today to establish formal cooperation in cyber security between the Singapore Computer Emergency Response Team (SingCERT) and the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In).

The MOU was signed by Mr David Koh, Chief Executive of the CSA, Singapore, and Mr Anil Wadhwa, Secretary (East), Ministry of External Affairs, India. The signing ceremony was held at the Istana and witnessed by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong of Singapore, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India. Also present at the ceremony was Minister for Communications and Information and Minister-in-Charge of Cyber Security, Dr Yaacob Ibrahim.

The MOU focuses on five key areas of cooperation. They are (i) the establishment of a formal framework for professional dialogue; (ii) CERT-CERT related cooperation for operational readiness and response; (iii) collaboration on cyber security technology and research related to smart technologies; (iv) exchange of best practices; and (v) professional exchanges of human resource development.

"Singapore and India have a strong partnership on cyber security matters. This MOU is another step forward as it brings together our Computer Emergency Response Teams to advance our ability to prevent as well as respond to new threats and vulnerabilities. We are glad to work alongside CERT-In to build a safe and secure cyber space."

- Mr David Koh, Chief Executive, Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA)

This is the third bilateral MOU entered into by CSA following MOUs signed with France and the United Kingdom in May and July 2015, respectively. The MOU will last for an initial period of two years.

About SingCERT

The Singapore Computer Emergency Response Team (SingCERT) provides technical assistance and coordinates responses to security compromises, identifies trends in hacking activities, and works with other security agencies to resolve computer security incidents. SingCERT also disseminates timely information and alerts on the latest violation security issues to the general public via the SingCERT website and SingCERT Mailing List. Companies with interest to learn about general security issues can attend seminars and conferences organised by SingCERT. The general public can also obtain security-related information from the SingCERT website at https://www.csa.gov.sg/singcert.

SingCERT was set up in October 1997 as a programme of the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA), in collaboration with the National University of Singapore (NUS) to facilitate the detection, resolution and prevention of security related incidents on the Internet. In 1999, SingCERT become a wholly IDA-owned programme. In April 2015, SingCERT was placed under the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA).

About the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore

The Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) provides dedicated and centralised oversight of national cyber security functions, and works with sector leads to protect Singapore’s critical services. It also engages with various industries, and stakeholders to heighten cyber security awareness as well as to ensure the holistic development of Singapore’s cyber security landscape. The Agency is part of the Prime Minister’s Office and is managed by the Ministry of Communications and Information.