Singapore Homeland Security System

Posted: December 22nd, 2022

Singapore Homeland Security System

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Singapore Homeland Security System

Summary of Singapore Homeland Security System

Faced with escalating intricate threats from global terrorism and cyber threat, homeland security agencies must improve their ability to respond fast to critical and threatening situations. The national security systems should constantly stay ahead of attackers and collaborate at various levels across local, national, and international state agencies, to make sure they remain adequately prepared to safeguard the country’s assets and population (APPSNO, 2007). Singapore is an example of a country that developed a Homeland Security Department that would better protect the country from security threat, and considers the initiative as a top national priority.

The Homeland Security Department of Singapore entails a series of prevention and detection measures to lower the harm caused by security threats. The measures involve the engagement of all levels of the society, including internal, infrastructure, border, and defense security. The system includes members of the civil defense, and has special attention to areas such as psychological and medical preparedness (Matsuura, 2017). The leading agencies forming the Homeland Security Department are the Internal Security Department (ISD) and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The Singapore Police Force forms a vital part of homeland security, and has in the recent years advanced security surveillance at various locations across the nation. The Police MRT Unit started patrols on the Mass Rapid Transit to safeguard the public transportation system (Matsuura, 2017). Further, personnel from the Gurkha Contingent and the Special Operations Command have also been dispatched to assist other police officers reinforcing security in the country. In addition, the Police Coast Guard helps to inspect ferries and other vessels traversing the territorial waters in Singapore.  

Risk in Singapore

Singapore could experience terror alerts that may breach national safety. A number of terror suspects were arrested in Singapore in January 2002, a few months after the September 11, 2001 attacks in the U.S. The state received reports that 37 affiliates of an extremist network, the Jemaah Islamiyah was taking refuge in the country. The terror group planned to attack America’s commercial interest, America’s naval equipment stored at the Changi Naval Base in Singapore, U.S. military personnel stationed at a subway station, military facilities belonging to Singaporeans, and Israeli and American embassies. Evaluators believe that the attack would be the worst since the 2001 attack in the U.S. if it would succeed. The attack would have a lot of casualties, and would cause severe economic, psychological, and political repercussions. Singapore remains a major target for radical Islamists because it identifies with the U.S. on economic, security, and political issues, and hosts a naval facility that supports America’s military and naval operations in Afghanistan, Persian Gulf, `and the Indian Ocean.

Cyber threat now attracts the attention of homeland security because criminals nowadays employ the use of technology to execute their plans. Disregarding the attacks that could emanate from cyber threats puts the nation at a much higher risk, and any violations from this area would be termed as failure on the government’s part to safeguard its people and resources. An example of a cyber attack that occurred in Singapore is the unprecedented and sophisticated infringement on the Singapore Health Services Private Limited in June 2018. The cyber data violation on the company is termed the worst ever in the history of Singapore because hackers retrieved personal information and medication records of 1.4 million citizens, including that of the country’s Prime Minister, Lee Hsien Loong. A Committee of Inquiry was put up to investigate the attack and learned that workers lacked enough awareness and training on how to curb such attacks. The inquiry revealed that a number of weaknesses, poor configuration, and vulnerabilities in the system that added on the violator’s success in obtaining the data.

Readiness to Respond

As a consequence of the threats, Singapore has embraced one of the most vigorous responses to attacks in the Southeast Asian countries. Singapore, like the U.S. takes homeland security seriously and is always on the watch for any threat that would require the agency’s attention. Furthermore, the formation of the Risk Assessment and Horizon Scanning by the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister for Defense in 2005 improved the identification and assessment of new occurring threats to the country’s security. The National Security Coordination Secretariat further helped to improve the system, which became usable at the start.

Analysis of Threat and Readiness to Respond

Singapore should not relent in its efforts to curb cyber and terror attacks because such violations have adverse effects on many countries today, socially, economically, and politically. An evaluation by Institute for Economics & Peace (2016) reveals that terrorism is becoming a global threat today with more countries being at the risk of being attacked by radical groups for one reason or the other. More nations adopt measures that would prevent terror attacks through various forms, and failure to embrace proper measures put the nation at significant risk. Today, countries such as Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Iraq, and Syria, experience high levels of terror acts, and the five contributed to the 72% of all deaths from terrorism-related cases in 2015 (Institute for Economics & Peace, 2016). The fall in the number of deaths from terrorism by 10% in 2015 to roughly 29,000 (the initial drop in number of deaths witnessed since 2010); however, indicates countries are working towards reducing risks. The increased awareness explains why Singapore focuses on developing a Homeland Security system that would identify and prevent possible attacks. The growth of technology also makes cyber attacks a major threat in Singapore and other modern cities (Delta Insurance, 2018). Big corporations in the public and private sectors are at high risk of losing valuable data that could disrupt the company or state’s activities, or could even cause much loss (Delta Insurance, 2018). Groups or individuals planning to disrupt national peace could use cyber attacks to tamper with vital public infrastructure like utilities (gas, power, and gas) and communications such as sensors, cameras, satellites, and networks. The threat cyber attacks Singapore faces compel the state to adopt comprehensive security management and systems that uphold confidentiality, and allow for self-recovery following an attack or security breach.

Analysis of the Security System and Prevention Reaction Forces

Prevention and Reaction

An evident feature showing Homeland Security Department of Singapore’s readiness to combat national security threat is many groups work together to protect the country from unnecessary invasion. The Internal Security Department (ISD) is the parent agency for monitoring and maintaining security within Singapore and works closely with the Homeland Security Department of Singapore. The two units collaborate to collect and analyze intelligence and use the findings to make policy recommendations. The ISD conducts its functions in accordance with the provision of legislatives such as the Internal Security Act, the Official Secrets Act, and the Criminal Procedure Code (Government of Singapore, 2019). Also working with the Homeland Security Department is the Ministry of Home Affair (MHA), which plays an essential role in keeping the country safe (Government of Singapore, 2019). The MHA believes everyone can serve vital roles in keeping the country safe and secure, and actively involves volunteers in improving Singapore’s security.

 The Singapore Police Force also serves as a vital agency mandated with the task of maintaining law and order. Officers in the force work to detect, prevent, and deter crime to improve the safety and security of the city-state (Matsuura, 2017). The Police Force liaises with the National Security Coordination Secretariat, which is a faction of the Singapore Government established to build coordination amongst the existing security agencies in the country (Matsuura, 2017). The Homeland Security system brings aboard the Police Coast Guard, which makes it possible to protect attacks that could emerge from water bodies. Also contributing to the increased safety the Homeland Security provides is Gurkha Contigent (GC) whose members receive so much training on discipline. The main role of the division of the Singapore Police Force is to act as a special guard force to counter terrorism (Matsuura, 2017). The Public Transport Security Command that commenced its operations in 2005 as the Police MRT Unit helps to promote safety in the transport sector, which is part of national security.

The engagement of various groups in the Singaporean Homeland Security makes the system similar to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (U.S. DHS), which achieves efficiency through the fusion of different subordinate agencies. Some of the components making up the U.S. DHS include the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman, Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, Office of Legislative Affairs, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, and Office of Strategy, Policy, and Plans among others (Department of Homeland Security, 2019). The U.S. DHS actually came into existence following the coming together of several agencies such as the U.S. Customs Service, Immigration and Naturalization Service, Federal Protective Service, and Transportation Security Administration among 18 others (Department of Homeland Security, 2019). The coming together of the different components aimed at improving U.S. DHS’s efficiency in executing various functions such as prevention of terrorism and enhancement of security, securing and managing American borders, enforcing and administering U.S. immigration laws, safeguarding and securing cyberspace, and ensuring resilience to catastrophes (Department of Homeland Security, 2019). The same happens in the Singapore Homeland Security system where the multi-agencies share information easily and work towards achieving the same goals.

It is encouraging the government applies advanced technology make the system more effective and reliable. The use of advanced technology is essential considering the transitional dimensions of certain offenses and the risk of a terror attack in Singapore. Following the successful application of Polcam 1.0, the police now extend the coverage of CCTV cameras beyond government buildings to other public areas such as pedestrian walkways and town centers (Government of Singapore, 2019). The police are refining and developing video analytics features that will automate the evaluation of footages from the cameras, and identify any possible security concerns. Other than the application of police cameras, Homeland Security shows its readiness to respond and prevent attacks through the creation of i-Witness. The team in charge of Homeland Security acknowledges the role the community plays in fighting crime and terrorism, and invites members of the public to offer the police with information on traffic offenses, security crises, and other crimes (Government of Singapore, 2019). Members of the public shall have the chance to upload plain text or multimedia files such as videos and photos directly to the online platform, or through a mobile app using their smartphones (Government of Singapore, 2019). The police also developed a mobile app that makes it possible for eyewitnesses of an offense or crime to sketch a picture of a suspect and forward the image to relevant security officers. Even though the app is yet to become more applicable among citizens the innovative ideas suggests the Homeland Security team is ready to deal with the various security challenges and threats it may experience.

The reducing cases of cyber threats in Singapore prove the country’s readiness to combat risks that could jeopardize the country’s security. The Cyber Security Agency (CSA) reported a reduction in cyber threats such as phishing, defacements, command and control, and ransomware in 2018 compared to 2017 (Government of Singapore, 2019). The CSA revealed that cases of website defacements reduced to 604 in 2018 from 2041 in 2017. Such indications show the team in charge of Homeland Security is doing all it can to prevent any form of infringement.

The team in charge of Homeland Security appears to be ready to tackle security threats through the Security Awareness for Everyone (SAFE) program. The Home Team works together with the education family in quest of new innovations and ideas under the initiative (Government of Singapore, 2019).). Students get the chance to create concept proposals and prototypes to handle security challenges and safety in the country.

The Singaporean security teams have thwarted several attempted attack, an indication that the system is always ready to prevent threats that could disrupt national safety. Earlier in 1991, the Singaporean counterterrorism system gained worldwide attention when it fruitfully stormed a hijacked plane and killed four Islamist radicals purporting to be affiliates of the Pakistan Peoples’ Party (Chua & Yuit, 2009). The incident that attracted much interest globally reduced terrorist violence in the country, at least for the time being. Later the Home Team facilitated the arrest of 13 JI affiliates for allegedly planning to bomb foreign embassies in 2001 in Singapore.

Practical Solutions Applied in Prevention and Reaction

Singapore takes certain actions to improve the country’s attempts to react to and prevent security breaches. The state ensures the people working in the various stations in the security system have adequate awareness and training on how to deal with the various threats the country faces (Government of Singapore, 2019). The government offers enough resources to facilitate detection and prevention, and is always ready to make any replacements on defective parts (Government of Singapore, 2019). Another approach the agency takes to improve the country’s reaction and prevention attempts is identifying and addressing the weaknesses and vulnerabilities in systems and networks that could make it possible for the attackers to succeed in their activities.

Adopting the right solutions requires the country to overcome some of the challenges it experiences in its attempts to make the Homeland Security Department of Singapore more effective. The government should overcome the problems that come with high financial requirements to be in a position to buy the latest technology as well as hire qualified personnel to manage the system (Matsuura, 2017). Overcoming the financial constraints associated with improving security may require additional budgetary allocation to the area to meet the high demands that come with safeguarding citizens from any threat, internal and external.

It is encouraging the Homeland Security Department already employs better equipment to overcome some of the challenges that obstruct the attainment of desired goals and objectives. The Singapore Police Force, for example, developed the Found Property Drop-Box to allow members of the public deposit items they pick anytime of the day. The automated deposit structure has a touch screen and bag dispenser for people to self-register and deposit things that they find in a safe box (Government of Singapore, 2019). The Home Team should emulate developed nations and acquire lessons that could foster improvement.

References

APPSNO. (2007). The challenge of homeland security in the 21^st century. Singapore: APPSNO.

Chua, G., & Yuit, H. (2009). Singapore’s approach to counterterrorism. Counterterrorism, 2(12). Retrieved from https://ctc.usma.edu/singapores-approach-to-counterterrorism/

Delta Insurance. (2018). The evolution of cyber threats: Embracing cyber threats. Thought Leadership Series, 1, 1-41.

Department of Homeland Security. (2019). Homeland Security. Retrieved from https://www.dhs.gov/

Government of Singapore. (2019). Innovating to keep Singapore safe and secure. Retrieved from https://www.mha.gov.sg/about-us/innovating-to-keep-singapore-safe-and-secure

Institute for Economics & Peace. (2016). Global terrorism index 2016: Measuring and understanding the impact of terrorism. New York, NY: START.

Matsuura, Y. (2017).Population issues in Singapore and its implications to national security. NIDS Security Studies, 19(2), 119-136.

Tan, A. (2005). Singapore’s approach to homeland security. Southeast Asian Affairs, 349-362.