GovTech and Google DeepMind Team Up Against Scams

In an effort to improve the fight against scams, GovTech and Google DeepMind are collaborating to develop a real-time detection system that will help users stay safeguarded against fraudulent activities on their devices. This innovative technology aims to address the increasing sophistication of cyber threats, ensuring better protection for individuals and businesses alike.

Quantum-Safe Funding for Implementation

Complementing this initiative, a new quantum-safe grant program is being launched. This funding will assist various organizations in transitioning from planning stages to effective implementation of quantum-safe solutions. Open from November 2023 to October 2027, the grant prioritizes entities managing critical information infrastructure systems.

The program offers seed funding to tackle implementation challenges, enabling organizations to test quantum-safe technologies in real-world environments. Each funded pilot can last up to six months, allowing organizations to either run the initiatives in-house or collaborate with recognized solution providers.

Focusing on Key Migration Challenges

Particular attention will be given to pilot projects that aim to combat prevailing migration challenges, such as transitioning applications or systems from start to finish and managing cryptographic inventories. According to Mrs. Teo, cooperation is essential to effectively address both scams and quantum threats.

"Staying ahead depends not only on what we can build ourselves but also on what we can pool together through mutual support," Mrs. Teo emphasized.

Strengthening Cybersecurity in the ASEAN Region

Singapore is also taking significant steps to enhance its cybersecurity framework, pledging an additional S$30 million (approximately US$23 million) to expand and strengthen the ASEAN-Singapore Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence. This funding will extend the center's operations for an additional five years, building on the initial commitment made in 2019.

The center has successfully delivered over 80 programs to more than 2,200 participants since its inception, focusing on research, knowledge sharing, and training to combat cyber threats. Moving forward, the center aims to deepen its training on incident response, critical infrastructure protection, AI-related risks, and cyber diplomacy.

Rising Cyber Threat Trends

During the 11th ASEAN Ministerial Conference on Cybersecurity, Mrs. Teo highlighted three main trends exacerbating cyber risks in the region:

• Advanced Persistent Threats: These sophisticated cyberattacks have significantly increased, with a fourfold rise in suspected attacks in Singapore from 2021 to 2024.
• Ransomware: This has transformed into a global criminal enterprise, with over 8,200 observed incidents in 2025 alone—roughly one attack occurring every 64 minutes.
• Emerging Technologies: Innovations like AI have lowered the cost and barrier to launching cyberattacks, as evidenced by incidents involving models like Hugging Face being coerced by OpenAI's tools.

These interconnected trends signify that cyber threats not only persist but also proliferate, necessitating immediate improvements in cyber defense capabilities.

"If we do not raise our cyber defense capabilities now, our citizens will likely bear the consequences—through disrupted services, compromised data, and lost confidence in digital systems," Mrs. Teo cautioned.