Welcome Remarks by Ambassador Ong Keng Yong, Executive Deputy Chairman S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore at 2nd Digital Defence Symposium on 24 Jul 2024, The Fullerton Hotel Singapore

Permanent Secretary (Defence Development) Mr Melvyn Ong from the Singapore Ministry of Defence,

Respective Ambassadors, 

Vice-Admiral Thomas Daum, 

Distinguished delegates from ASEAN and non-ASEAN defence establishments, ACICE Advisory Board, 

Expert panel members, 

Eminent speakers, 

Ladies and gentlemen,

Good morning! A warm welcome to the second Digital Defence Symposium, co-organised by the S.Rajaratnam School of International Studies and the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Cybersecurity and Information Centre of Excellence (ACICE). 

Changes in the cyber and information landscape has remained a constant. At the inaugural Digital Defence Symposium last year, we did a deep dive into the various aspects of digital defence, including cybersecurity, strategic communications, and information threats. A year on, we continue to witness advancements in technology that reshapes the world and affects how we look at defence and security – both at the operational level and policy level. 

The theme for this year’s Digital Defence Symposium effectively captures this state of being. “Evolving Cyber and Information Trends: Opportunities and Threats for Defence”. This encapsulates the transformation we all experience so far. It invokes the dynamics of a double-edged sword. One that can harm, but yet brings hope and benefits when handled well. 

Last Friday, there was a worldwide outage for Microsoft users. Public and private organisations were affected. Flights were delayed and healthcare procedures were affected. The outage was due to a bug in Crowdstrike’s Falcon product, which was meant to keep computers safe from cyberattacks and malware. While the incident was not a cyberattack, it is a reminder to us that the very same technology meant to keep us safe can be a threat as well. What if the outage had affected defence organisations and the operations used to keep our countries safe? 

The uptake of digital transformation continues not only in countries within the South-east Asia region, but globally. This is led by factors including a rise in AI, misinformation and disinformation warfare, an expansion of IoT devices as well as an increased sophistication of cyber threats. 

Unlike traditional defence concerns, cyber and information threats are not limited to national borders. The inclusion of cyber components means that it is crucial to enhance one’s own cyber capabilities for effective national defence. As such, it is more important than before for ASEAN countries to adopt a coordinated approach in dealing with the challenges of modern warfare and digitalisation even as we work towards a safer and more secure region. 

Our gathering here for the 2nd Digital Defence Symposium is an affirmation that the complexity of cyberspace is a critical domain in national security and defence. Over the two-day programme, this symposium seeks to explore what these cyber and information threats can mean for a nation’s defence and security concerns. It is by understanding the threats accurately that we can identify new and effective solutions with peaceful purpose. 

To this end, we have a range of experts lined up for this symposium. Each of them is an expert in their respective domains, ranging from military personnel and international organisation representative to industry practitioners and members of the academia. By tapping on the expertise of different groups to better understand a common threat, or some say common enemy, we can better protect our respective nations and regions. Such discussions and learning of best practices are essential, and the gathering of like-minded in this venue with a common purpose cannot be treated lightly or be taken for granted. 

With this, I wish the 2nd Digital Defence Symposium all success and may all participants build networks and partnerships that will strengthen our collective resilience even as we marvel at the capabilities of the new technologies entering the cyber space. Thank you for being here. 

ASEAN and International Defence Officials and Experts Discuss Evolving Cyber and Information Opportunities and Threats at the Second Digital Defence Symposium