Skip to main content

Advertisement

Advertisement

Public servants won’t have Internet access on their work computers by next May

SINGAPORE — Civil servants will not be able to access the Internet from their work computers from next year, following an “extensive review” by the Government to reduce the prospects of its data being compromised or stolen by cyber attackers.

By May next year, Singapore's public service officers will not be able to access the Internet on their work computers.  Photo: Reuters file photo

By May next year, Singapore's public service officers will not be able to access the Internet on their work computers. Photo: Reuters file photo

Follow TODAY on WhatsApp

SINGAPORE — Civil servants will not be able to access the Internet from their work computers from next year, following an “extensive review” by the Government to reduce the prospects of its data being compromised or stolen by cyber attackers.

News of the new policy, first reported by The Straits Times, was confirmed by the Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) on Wednesday (June 8). In response to queries from TODAY, an IDA spokesman said a trial has been underway to “separate Internet access from the work stations of a selected group of public service officers”.

The new policy will be rolled out to “the rest of the public service officers progressively over a one-year period”, the IDA spokesman added without giving details.

TODAY understands that the restrictions would be in place by May 2017. A memo that has been sent to some civil servants warned: “With the number of cyber-security threats on the rise, being attacked is a given....As long as the Government networks are connected to the Internet, the risks of Government data being stolen and leaked will be heightened.”

The new rules, however, do not mean an outright ban on Internet access during work hours for civil servants. “There are alternatives for Internet access and the work that officers need to do, does not change,” the IDA said without elaboration.

TODAY understands that public servants can still access the Internet at work using mobile devices. Intranet access will also be available.

Despite the restrictions, civil servants will continue to be able to send and receive emails from external sources. Government e-services and public engagement will not be affected, assured the memo, a copy which was seen by TODAY.

Minister for Communications and Information Yaacob Ibrahim said in April that a new cyber security Bill would be tabled in Parliament next year amid the growing sophistication of online attacks.

Read more of the latest in

Advertisement

Advertisement

Stay in the know. Anytime. Anywhere.

Subscribe to get daily news updates, insights and must reads delivered straight to your inbox.

By clicking subscribe, I agree for my personal data to be used to send me TODAY newsletters, promotional offers and for research and analysis.