Clarification Of Issues
Enhancement and Enforcement of Data Security for MINDEF/SAF Personnel
20 May 2020
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The Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) and the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) have stepped up and enforced stronger information and data protection measures for all service personnel. These measures are taken in line with more stringent efforts adopted by all Government agencies, following the recommendations of the Public Sector Data Security Review Committee in November 2019.
The new initiatives to strengthen information and data security practices include sessions to raise awareness on good data security hygiene practices and town hall briefings by MINDEF/SAF senior management to reinforce the importance of information security and data protection. We have also concluded an annual declaration exercise for service personnel to review their data security hygiene.
All service personnel are accountable to protect classified information in their possession or use. Strict enforcement measures will be taken against individuals who fail to do so. Two MINDEF/SAF personnel were charged in March 2020 for mishandling official information.
All MINDEF/SAF personnel must take information and data security seriously as our security regime is only as strong as our weakest link.