200 businesses take part in first nationwide phishing test as part of Exercise SG Ready

SINGAPORE – Some 200 businesses from different industries will take part in phishing exercises conducted by the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) and Singapore Business Federation (SBF) to test their cyber resilience.

The e-mails – which will be sent out to around 7,000 employees over two weeks from Feb 15 to 28 – also aim to help the businesses review continuity plans in the face of such attacks.

This is all part of

Exercise SG Ready 2025

that was launched by Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong on Feb 15, with this second edition introducing a nationwide phishing exercise.

Mindef said participating companies can use the results to assess for and identify any vulnerabilities, and work to shore up their defences.

This comes as the strengthening of the six pillars of Total Defence becomes more important as Singapore faces more complex challenges, according to DPM Gan. The six pillars are economic, social, civil, digital, psychological and military.

DPM Gan, who is also Trade and Industry Minister, said the entire nation has a role to play to ensure that the Republic stays vigilant and prepared in the face of disruptions.

“Total Defence is everyone’s business. Through this exercise, we hope that everyone will be more aware of potential disruptions and be more familiar with the contingency plans that allow them to go about their daily routines and live their life normally,” he added.

DPM Gan, who arrived with Senior Minister of State Heng Chee How, was speaking to participants at the Total Defence Day commemoration event at the SBF in Tanjong Pagar on Feb 15.

This year’s Exercise SG Ready, led by the Ministry of Defence and Energy Market Authority, will carry out two weeks of planned disruption and preparedness activities that involve more than 1,000 organisations, schools and agencies.

The activities will focus on power disruptions and cyber attacks, said DPM Gan.

“As a small country, we need to stay strong, secure and cohesive so that we stand united and resilient against the challenges that we face, and remain agile and nimble to seize the opportunities that will come our way,” he added.

To that end, multiple activities will be held over the next two weeks as part of the nation’s Total Defence Day commemoration events.

These include mobilisation exercises by the Singapore Army and Republic of Singapore Air Force, events at Safra Choa Chu Kang to help the community learn what to do during disruptions, as well as

a simulation of a power disruption at 30 buildings across the island.

As part of the proceedings, the police organised Exercise Heartbeat, with support from the Singapore Civil Defence Force and Mindef, at Marsiling Mall Hawker Centre on Feb 15.

The exercise simulated an attack by self-radicalised terrorists on a lunchtime crowd to showcase the role of community first responders.

Explaining that Singapore should never take its peace and security for granted, DPM Gan said: “We are seeing a convergence of various political, social and economic forces contriving to push back against globalisation, integration and interdependence. This will have far-reaching implications for the global order that has underpinned global peace and prosperity over the past few decades.”

Sharing the sentiment, Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean said Singapore has to be prepared to defend itself as the world today is once again awash with turbulence and uncertainty.

This comes as wars, great power competition or the threat of extremist terrorism that starts outside of Singapore can present troubles within the nation.

SM Teo, who is also Coordinating Minister for National Security, was speaking to more than 500 people at the 58th War Memorial Service at the War Memorial Park on Feb 15.

“Never again can we allow ourselves to be unprepared to defend our own country and our families... If we forget, and do not prepare to defend ourselves, we risk repeating the tragedy and loss that war and conflict bring,” he said.

SM Teo recounted attending the first memorial service in 1967 with his grandmother after his grandfather was taken by Japanese soldiers. He said he never saw his grandfather again.

“Most who gathered here in 1967 had lived through the war. They had witnessed its horrors first-hand and lost loved ones. The emotions they felt were raw and strong,” he added.

SM Teo said emotions and bitterness from the war have receded as the years passed.

“To a younger generation, these pillars are perhaps just a marker of a bygone chapter of our history. But as a society and as a people, we build memorials when there are deep lessons that one generation wants future generations to remember,” he added.

SM Teo pointed out that the memorial also serves as a reminder that all Singaporeans have a role to play in safeguarding the nation.

Ms Judy Kong, 77, who previously served in the Republic of Singapore Navy’s reserve force as a volunteer, said the memorial service serves to remind younger generations not to take peace for granted.

“It is the duty of older Singaporeans like myself to let the younger generation know that this is your country. This is our history. We were born and raised here, so we have to look after our own country,” she added.