SINGAPORE - A Cyber Security Bill will be introduced to give the new Cyber Security Agency greater powers to protect national systems, such as those in the energy and transport sectors, from cyber threats.
Cyber security expenditure will also increase to at least 8 per cent of the Government's IT budget in the long-term, the Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI) said on Thursday (Jan 21) as it outlined plans for the next five years in an Addendum to President Tony Tan Keng Yam's address in Parliament.
The ministry also touched on other areas, which include plans to complete the nationwide transition from analogue to digital broadcasting by end-2017 - ahead of the initial 2020 deadline. This will free up spectrum to provide more capacity for mobile broadband and better support Singapore's smart nation development.
Also in the works: the setting up of a Constitutional Gallery, to be housed in the National Gallery Singapore, that will showcase the nation's key constitutional documents.
Here's a look at other key initiatives by MCI.
Seize opportunities in a converged infocomm media landscape
* The Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) and the Media Development Authority (MDA) to merge in April to form the Info-communications Media Development Authority (IMDA). The move was announced earlier this week.
* New Government Technology Organisation (GTO) in the second half of this year to lead the Government's digitisation efforts
* Aim to complete nationwide transition to digital broadcasting from analogue broadcast by end-2017
* Build up the design sector and launch Design 2025, a long-term plan to make Singapore a hub for design
Build new skills for the future
* Help Singaporeans acquire skills, such as coding, computational and design thinking, that will be increasingly important in the future
* Continue to support start-ups and entrepreneurship in the infocomm, media and design sectors
Enable a secure Smart Nation
* Roll out the Smart Nation Platform, a network infrastructure of sensors, to build a Smart Nation and facilitate greater sharing of data
* Continue to ensure low-income families and senior citizens enjoy the benefits of Internet connectivity
* Develop a national cyber security strategy to strengthen Singapore's information infrastructure, with priority given to critical sectors like energy, transport and health
* Introduce a Cyber Security Bill to give the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore greater powers
* Grow cyber security talent and manpower, and seek international cooperation on cyber security
Make history accessible, reading habitual
* Develop a Constitutional Gallery, to be housed in the National Gallery Singapore, to showcase key constitutional documents and promote the appreciation of Singapore's history and heritage
*Start a National Reading Movement
Engage Singaporeans
* Review television channels Okto and Channel U to provide more choices for young audiences
* Introduce subtitling progressively for live broadcast programmes to be more inclusive
* Continue to engage Singaporeans on government policies, especially in the digital space and social media
