Cyber security concerns all, so get the public involved

Our society has several layers, such as the public and private sectors and the population at large.

Cyber threats can morph and burrow into any of these layers (Businesses must make their own call on cyber security; Aug 2).

Given the cyber security incidents in the past few years, the Government has decided to sharpen its defences. One of its moves was to unplug computer systems from the Internet.

Cyber defence is multifaceted, however, and a one-dimensional effort to beef it up may be insufficient.

One in three people here do not practise proper cyber security, according to a Cyber Security Agency survey released this year.

It may be necessary to enlist our people to participate.

Policy-wise, the authorities have carried out a consultation exercise for the draft Cybersecurity Bill.

This, with public opinion, can support efforts to ramp up our cyber security practices, indicate potential blind spots and mitigate risks.

We can also take a leaf out of the Home Team’s book. To deal with the terrorism threat, it carries out exercises to educate the public and heighten awareness.

Recently, a simulation was conducted to learn how to respond to cyber attacks with a whole-of-goverment approach and critical sectors in industry.

Perhaps this can be expanded to include the public going forward.