Siti Nur Farhanah Binte S. Hussin Bagharib, Assistant Director, International Cyber Policy Office, Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA)

1. How do you use technology/policy to improve citizens’ lives? Tell us about your role or organisation. 

I am an Assistant Director in the International Cyber Policy Office at the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA). I oversee the team that is responsible for Singapore’s cybersecurity engagements at multilateral platforms, including at the United Nations (UN) and ASEAN platforms.

Cybersecurity undergirds the growing digital economy. Given the current geopolitical situation, cyber diplomacy has become an urgent endeavour towards maintaining international peace and security.  

With the rapidly changing cybersecurity threat landscape, these cyber diplomacy efforts, including from small states like Singapore, is crucial.

We bring Singapore’s voice as an active participant to international and regional discussions to enhance responsible state behaviour in cyberspace. Given the cross-cutting nature of cybersecurity, successfully negotiating international and regional cyber discussions often require careful coordination between multi-disciplinary teams.

A peaceful, accessible, and interoperable cyberspace undergirded by trust and confidence is only possible through constructive dialogue and shared vision to strengthen the global cybersecurity architecture.

Singapore’s chairmanship of the five-year UN Open-ended Working Group on Security of and in the use of ICTs (2021 – 2025) and role in the establishment of the ASEAN Regional Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) exemplify our commitment to contribute substantively towards a safe and secure digital future. 

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2. What was the most impactful project you worked on this year? 

The progress made on the ASEAN Regional CERT was a key achievement in support of regional and global cybersecurity efforts.

Singapore/CSA had led the ASEAN workstream to develop this initiative. The ASEAN Regional CERT serves to facilitate the timely exchange of threat and attack-related information among ASEAN Member States (AMS)’ National CERTs and foster CERT-related capacity building and coordination – but without in any way taking over or impinging on the operational role, mandate, and functions of each AMS National CERT.

At the 4th ASEAN Digital Ministers Meeting in February 2024 chaired by Singapore, AMS had agreed for Singapore to fund and host the physical facility of the ASEAN Regional CERT for up to 10 years.

There is a strong value proposition for the ASEAN Regional CERT to contribute tangibly to uplift the regional cybersecurity posture given the urgency to secure the growing digital economy in ASEAN in the face of increasingly sophisticated transboundary cyber-attacks. 

3. What was one unexpected learning from 2024? 

I have learnt that having driven, goal-oriented yet realistic superiors and colleagues can directly impact my mindset, keep me motivated and productive at work.

Equally important is having a supportive family, especially when I am away from home on overseas work trips.

This support keeps me grounded and provides the capacity for me to create purpose in the roles I undertake, both personally and professionally. 

4. What’s a tool or technique you’re excited to explore in 2025? 

I am looking forward to study how cyberspace has become a locus and focus of diplomacy. Cybersecurity has taken a lead role, even in UN Security Council discussions in recent years.

It would be useful to unravel the growing role of cyber diplomacy in forging international peace and security. 

Government has been constantly introducing innovative solutions for public servants, such as an application that makes note-taking easier.

I am always keen to apply these tools to help me improve my work efficiency and introduce them to my team. 

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5. Everybody’s talking about AI today – give us your hot take on AI and what it means for the public sector.

Like every useful invention, AI has its thorns.

To zoom in on one area - the advent of deepfakes made possible by AI would mean there is a growing need to educate the public on discerning the authenticity of information sources.

There will need to be deeper dialogue on managing the dark-side of AI while reaping its benefits in the long-run. 

6. What are your priorities for 2025? 

To deepen my knowledge in international relations in pursuit of a Masters degree in this domain.

The art of diplomacy is fascinating and diverse: people-to-people, State-State, State-non-State organisations.

It would be my priority to hone my skills here and increase my value to contribute to my future role in my organisation. 

7. What advice do you have for public sector innovators? 

Nothing is impossible or meaningless.

You can derive value from anything you do when you keep a clear mind on your objectives, outline your approach and identify the outcomes you plan to achieve with each action and task that comes your way. 

8. Who inspires you today? 

Minister of Digital Development and Information, Josephine Teo.

Her charisma, patience, professionalism, useful perspective on issues personifies what a good leader would embody.