Google and the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) have announced a strategic collaboration to bolster Singapore’s cyber resilience.
The partnership covers four key pillars: threat intelligence sharing, joint operations, technical collaboration, and ecosystem development.
To advance sharing around threat intelligence, Google and CSA will endeavour to exchange intelligence on malicious activities, incidents, and vulnerabilities.
Google Cloud and Mandiant are security services providers combining frontline intelligence and expertise, a modern SecOps platform and a cloud foundation infused with the power of generative AI.
Coupled with CSA’s repository of threat telemetry, the combined cyber defenders of both partners will explore ways to efficiently prevent, detect, and respond to threats such as ransomware attacks and scams.
The average dwell time for Asia-Pacific in 2022 was 33 days, up from 21 days in 2021. Dwell time is the amount of time between an attacker’s successful intrusion into an organisation and the discovery of the intrusion.
A wide range of cyber attacks continues to be observed in the industry, ranging from financially-motivated attacks to cyber espionage attacks and ideologically-motivated attacks that take the form of hacktivism or information operations. Governments must employ the best security possible to prevent the loss of services, resources, time, and money from cyber attacks on critical infrastructure.
Google and CSA will collaborate and facilitate joint investigations on cyber incidents with potential ramifications to the critical infrastructure and systems while working hand-in-hand to take down digital assets used in cyber attacks and digitally-enabled scams.
The fast-paced cyber security landscape creates a growing need to equip and uplevel cyber security talents with the latest innovations and techniques to combat cybercrime. Earlier this year, Google launched 5,000 Google Cybersecurity Certificate scholarships with CSA to an estimated 100 enterprises at no cost.
Google and CSA further commit to enhancing their respective engineering teams’ technical expertise and exploring avenues to jointly develop and promote technical standards and best practices in trust and safety.
Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility, and this joint initiative will help promote regular exchanges between both partners to strengthen the understanding of opportunities, risks, and challenges associated with emerging technologies, such as AI.
Google may also support CSA’s efforts in developing policies and industry best practices related to emerging technologies, building capabilities, and raising cybersecurity awareness.
Two specific initiatives launching at Singapore International Cybersecurity Week 2023 include the Cloud Security Companion Guides, and the CSA-Google hosted Scams and Security Seminar.
Mr David Koh, Chief Executive of CSA, says: “Cyber defence is a team effort. Big Tech plays a key role in shaping our digital terrain and is an important partner in cyber defence and cybersecurity. We look forward to working closely with Google to advance our shared mission of building a safer cyberspace for all users.”
Michaela Browning, Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Policy, Asia-Pacific, Google, says: “AI has long had a tremendous impact for good on the security ecosystem and leveraging advances in AI will be important for global security and stability going forward.”
“Generative AI will present novel security risks, including misinformation and cyber threats, but will also become the foundation for a new generation of cyber defences through advanced security operations and frontline intelligence, if we are bold and responsible with its development and regulation.”
“Today, Google is proud to have the opportunity to deepen its commitment to building greater cyber resilience in Singapore by partnering with CSA through joint expertise and threat information sharing,” says Browning.