Oral Reply by SMS Heng Chee How to Parliamentary Question on Safeguarding the Security of Communications Lines Originating from Singapore for Military Events

Mr Yip Hon Weng: To ask the Minister for Defence in view of the recent incident where a private military conference call in a Singapore hotel was being intercepted (a) whether the Government is investigating the incident to identify and address specific vulnerabilities in our telecommunications infrastructure; and (b) whether there are measures in place to safeguard the security of communications lines originating from Singapore, especially during international meetings and military events which involve high-level foreign dignitaries.

Senior Minister of State for Defence, Heng Chee How:

Mr Speaker, this reply will only address the honourable's question as to whether Singapore can safeguard the security of communications used by visitors to international and military events held here. It is a reply in general without reference to any incident referred to by the member.

Participants to international events and conferences, including those attended by military personnel and government leaders and officials do not, as a rule, expect the host country to provide secured means of communications. Even if the host country is to offer such means, it is questionable whether foreign participants are comfortable using it. Foreign guests who need to transmit sensitive information will typically arrange their own secured means, such as encryption hardware or software, commercial secured or embassy lines, and other security measures. This is the practice of MINDEF and SAF officials when attending meetings overseas.