“When it comes to growing AI talent, that is the right thing to do: first establish governance mechanisms and then start growing, for example by tripling the pool of AI practitioners as planned,” Oycu said. I am. Mr. Işık, Professor of Digital Strategy and Cybersecurity at his IMD Business School in Switzerland
“The result is a context-neutral legal framework that is sure to serve as a model for other countries in the region and beyond,” he said.
Under its AI strategy, Singapore will also increase government incentives in the sector, such as supporting accelerator programs for AI startups and encouraging companies to establish AI “centers of excellence”. I promise.
Analysts say having a rich pool of AI expertise working within a carefully constructed governance framework is key to combating the rise of bad actors who indiscriminately use AI technology for power and profit. states that it is essential.
The introduction of AI-based tools has already doubled the number of cyberattacks in Asia, said KPS Sandhu, head of global strategic initiatives in the cybersecurity practice at Tata Consultancy Services.
“I think Asia is being targeted by attackers primarily because it is rapidly evolving its digital economy, and as a result, technology is emerging and spreading rapidly,” he said. Ta.
Phishing kits, one of the key tools for cyber attackers, are now available on the dark web for as little as $10, Sandu added, and they do not appear on search engines and require the use of anonymization. I mentioned some parts of the internet. browser.
Even Singapore is vulnerable. Despite its status as one of Asia’s leading technology hubs, almost half of Singapore’s SMEs believe they are vulnerable to cyber-attacks, according to the annual Asia-Pacific SME Survey.
Sandhu said that in addition to improved governance, organizations need to be equipped with better technology. “Fire must be fought with fire.”
International cooperation to combat cybercrime and share learning experiences also needs to be strengthened, he added, but such efforts are already improving.
Fighting phishing
With the number of cyber fraud syndicates operating across Asia increasing, the need for better ways to combat such crimes is becoming increasingly apparent.
On December 8, the UK announced sanctions against actors in Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos for coordinating a multi-country fraud operation. Nine people and five organizations were sanctioned for “involvement in a forced labor scheme” and human trafficking to “online fraud farms.”
Such operations have taken root in Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos in recent years, thriving amid endemic corruption and weak law enforcement, and spreading their tentacles to other countries in the region.
Singapore renters are alarmed after losing more than US$1 million to fake real estate agents
Singapore renters are alarmed after losing more than US$1 million to fake real estate agents
Although Singapore’s AI Strategy did not include strict guidelines on the use of AI in phishing attacks, the government “recognizes the risks of AI being used by bad actors, including in AI-based phishing attacks. “It could have been,” said Nicholas Lau, a partner at RPC Premier. Law.
“The fact that NAIS clearly states that AI should be used responsibly means it should not be seen as a blank check that malicious parties can use AI for criminal means. “I will,” he said.
Some countries in the Asia-Pacific region may use Singapore’s governance as a benchmark, Lau added.
Other industry executives said Singapore should offer assistance to other countries as cybercrime becomes increasingly sophisticated.
Vince Chew, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Information Security Officer at Evvo Labs, said, “In the past, you could detect phishing emails just because they were poorly structured; ”
Experts say half the battle is won by focusing on the cause: human error.
“The Singapore government should encourage businesses and institutions to share intelligence. Collaboration between financial institutions and telcos as proposed in the Shared Responsibility Framework to identify and block sophisticated phishing attempts. ‘s AI and machine learning technology will be easier to share,” said Chu.
This will facilitate the creation of regional standards on the ethical use, transparency and effectiveness of AI in detecting and mitigating phishing attacks, he added.
He said teamwork could work well in the region, where each country brings its own “unique technology and cyber issues.”