Singapore and Germany have signed a pact strengthening the two countries cybersecurity cooperation. This is the seventh bilateral cooperation the city-state signed since the creation of the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) in April 2015.
The deal covers key areas including regular information transfer, joint training and research, and sharing of best practices in promoting innovation in the realm of cybersecurity. Both Singapore and Germany are committed to pushing for voluntary norms of responsible state behaviour in cyberspace.
The Joint Declaration was signed by CSA Chief Executive David Koh and German Federal Foreign Office (FFO) Director of International Cyber Policy Dr Thomas Fitschen.
"The inking of this Declaration paves the way for mutual assistance and information sharing which will strengthen the cybersecurity landscape of both countries. We are also excited to be working together to promote voluntary norms of responsible state behaviour to support the security and stability of cyberspace," Koh said in a statement.
Last month, a memorandum of understanding was signed by Koh and Tobias Feakin, Ambassador for Cyber Affairs, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Australia. This initial deal will last for two years and will cover cybersecurity cooperation between the two countries. Singapore and Australia are set to organise an ASEAN cyber-risk reduction workshop by end-2017.
Prior to the two recent cybersecurity deals, CSA had previously signed five cybersecurity cooperation deals with France, India, the
Netherlands, UK, and the United States.
The signing of the deal with Germany came as the United Nations the International Telecommunication Union released its latest report where Singapore ranked the highest in the Global Cybersecurity Index.
The study cited Singapore's child online protection as one of the noteworthy practices in cybersecurity.
"Singapore's Internet Content Providers (ICPs) and Internet Access Service Providers (IASPs) are licensable under the Broadcasting Act and they are required to comply with the Internet Code of Practice to protect children online. Since 2012, all service providers have been legally obligated to offer filtering services with Internet subscriptions and to make this known to consumers when they subscribe or renew," the report said.
