Background

The Digital and Intelligence Service (DIS) was established on 28 October 2022 as the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF)'s fourth Service, formed through the consolidation and integration of existing Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence (C4I), as well as cyber capabilities of the SAF. Since becoming a full-fledged Service, the DIS has expanded and enhanced its efforts to raise, train and sustain its digital workforce and capabilities that will protect Singapore in the digital domain.

Developing a Digital Workforce

The DIS continues to grow a highly-skilled digital workforce that will meet future operational demands. The DIS has expanded existing schemes such the C4 Expert (C4X) and Defence Cyber Expert (DCX) vocations to include digital tracks, for cultivating digital competencies such as Software Engineering, Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, and Cloud Architecting. Operationally Ready National Servicemen (NSmen) with relevant civilian expertise will continue to be redeployed under the Enhanced Expertise Deployment Scheme, and the existing Cyber and Digital Work-Learn Schemes will continue to harness National Service talents.

Capability Development Efforts

The DIS will build upon and transform the existing Cyber Test and Evaluation Centre (CyTEC) into a bigger SAF digital range, which will be completed in 2026. It will be capable of simulating a wider set of sophisticated scenarios and environments to enable realistic training for a growing digital workforce. The SAF digital range will allow the SAF to train its forces and conduct joint training with other national agencies such as the Cyber Security Agency (CSA) to defend the digital domain, ranging from enterprise information systems to critical infrastructure systems, through exercises such as the Critical Infrastructure Defence Exercise (CIDeX). It will also host bilateral and multilateral exercises, bringing militaries, industries and academia together to share best practices, insights and knowledge.

The DIS is also in the midst of establishing the Digital Ops-Tech Centre (DOTC). As the centre of excellence for SAF's digital expertise, the DOTC will cultivate a workforce of digital experts well-versed in Software Engineering, Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies. It will adopt modern digital approaches and collaborate with the Defence Technology Community (DTC), Whole-of-Government digital agencies, academia and relevant industries, to raise competencies, cultivate best practices, and build cross-cutting digital products for the SAF. The centre will be operational in 2024.