Changi Airport will pilot a Multi-Signal Surveillance Platform which combines audio with video analytics to monitor security incidents.

The platform, which will start in the middle of next year, will help security officers determine if an alert received is truly a security incident.

For example, apart from the visual element, they can analyse audio data to detect things such as gunshots and bomb blasts.

Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat cited the innovation as an example of an advanced solution in the evolving security climate.

The platform was developed by Certis, the largest private-sector player in Singapore's security industry, together with partners such as artificial intelligence firm Xjera Labs and Changi Airport Group.

Speaking at the launch of the new Certis Commonwealth building yesterday, Mr Heng said Singapore may be one of the safest countries in the world, but it still faces threats from terrorism, in cyber security and from fake news.

"In the face of rising and complex security threats, the Government, the security industry and the community must work together to keep Singapore safe and secure."

Emphasising the need to build new capabilities and stay ahead of the threats, he said cyberspace is a critical area in which security capabilities must be beefed up.

He urged companies to harness technology to face the threats. "As chairman of the National Research Foundation, I have mentioned to our researchers that one of the areas I would like to see more R&D work done is in the security area."

He said about 27 per cent of the national budget currently goes to security and national defence, and this will continue. He also stressed the role of the security industry - about 47,000 security officers, 600 service providers and 240 security agencies - in supporting the Home Team.

While Singapore is one of the world's safest cities, according to global rankings such as the 2017 Gallup Global Law and Order Report and 2017 Economist Intelligence Unit Safe Cities Index, it is still vulnerable, said Mr Heng.

There has been a significant increase in the number of self-radicalised individuals arrested here in the past two years, said Mr Heng.

With more assets such as intellectual property and personal data in cyberspace, IT systems have become targets. Fake news is a threat to national security, he added.

Yesterday, Certis also unveiled its new logo and business transformation. Chief executive Paul Chong said: "The new Certis is about Security Plus. This is a new transformational integrated service, with security at its core, combined with facilities management and customer service, underpinned by technology."

The integration of the services into one platform reflects how the company sees the world transforming, and moving beyond traditional security functions.