14 DAY TRIAL // Singapore and the U.S. signed several Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) to expand their cybersecurity cooperation in areas such as defense, banking, and research and development, according to ZDNet. These activities include increased information sharing, team building, training and skills development.
Three MOUs were signed on Monday during the US' three-day visit to Asia Vice President Kamala Harris. One was an agreement between Singapore and the U.S. Cyber Security and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) aimed at expanding the cybersecurity partnership beyond data sharing and exchange. Both government agencies will explore new areas of cooperation, such as important technological research and development.
- The first MOU will allow both partners to strengthen existing partnerships between the countries so that they are able to work closely together to better defend against cyberattacks.
- A second MOU between Singapore's Ministry of Defence (Mindef) and the US Department of Defence aims to cooperate on numerous activities in cyberspace. These activities would include mutual understanding, data sharing and capacity building.
- A third MOU involved the Singapore Monetary Authority (MAS) and the U.S. Treasury Department and aimed to enhance bilateral institutional cooperation. The agreement covered topics such as financial information sharing, personnel training, and cross-border cybersecurity exercises.
Both countries recognize the importance of improved cybersecurity partnership
David Koh, the Chief Executive at CSA noted that both countries have a strong mutual interest in strengthening cooperation in cybersecurity, especially since cybersecurity is now a critical factor in enabling both countries to leverage digitalization to grow their respective economies and improve their lives.
Jen Easterly, the CISA Director stated "Cyber threats don't adhere to borders, which is why international collaboration is a key part of the Biden-Harris administration's approach to cybersecurity. The MOU allows us to strengthen our existing partnership with Singapore so that we can more effectively work together to collectively defend against the threats of today and secure against the risks of tomorrow".
According to Mindef, there have already been exchanges between the militaries, training and defense technology cooperation. In 2005, Singapore was recognized as a key partner for security cooperation with Strategic Framework Agreement, and in 2015, defense cooperation was extended to several security areas such as cyber security and biosecurity with Enhanced Defense Collaboration Agreement.