International Cooperation Needed For Robust Framework To Safeguard Cybersecurity – S'pore Senior Minister

SINGAPORE, Oct 19 (Bernama) -- International cooperation is needed to build a robust framework that can safeguard cybersecurity and promote confidence and trust in cyberspace as there are no borders in the digital domain, says Singapore Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean. “This is key is to establish norms of responsible state behaviour, build consensus around the application of existing international law in cyberspace, and facilitate confidence building measures, capacity-building and standards,” he said in his opening address at Singapore International Cyber Week here today. Teo noted that these are the basic building blocks to a cyber stability framework, which will guide states and other stakeholders to better trust each other and work together on cyber issues in a meaningful manner. Touching on supranational systems – systems that transcend national borders – Teo said it posed “a special challenge in international cooperation”. These are systems such as the SWIFT international payment network, booking systems for air travel, and the interconnected systems providing safety and routing information for aviation and maritime traffic, he cited. “These systems serve many countries. A failure of any such system would result in chaos at the global level. However, while many states depend critically on them, their protection and supervision sometimes do not come under any international process. “We need to have greater emphasis on ensuring clearer collective responsibility, and strengthen international cooperation to protect these systems and make sure that they work properly and securely,” he said. Teo said that one important platform for cooperation in cybersecurity is the United Nations (UN), where countries large and small have a voice and can work together. The OEWG, or Open-ended Working Group on Security of and in the Use of ICTs 2021-2025, has made some progress in achieving a common understanding of the elements that make up the cyber stability framework, he said. The current chair of the OEWG is Singapore’s Permanent Representative to the UN. -- BERNAMA