GovWare 2024 underscores need to prioritise trust and security in fragmented digital landscape

At this year’s GovWare Conference and Exhibition 2024, the Commissioner of Cybersecurity and Cyber Security Agency of Singapore’s Chief Executive, David Koh, underscored the critical need to prioritise trust and security in today’s increasingly fragmented and complex digital landscape.

He highlighted the vital importance of collaboration among policymakers, industry leaders, and academics, as well as the essential role of international cooperation and public-private partnerships in strengthening trust and security across the digital domain.

Koh added that by working together across sectors and borders, it is possible to create a world where innovation and security coexist, where trust underpins digital interactions, and where the benefits of technology are accessible to all.

His comments resonated well with GovWare 2024’s theme, Securing Dynamic Digital Roadmaps: Relooking Signposts in Identity, Trust, and Resilience. As Asia Pacific’s premier cybersecurity event and part of Singapore International Cyber Week (SICW), GovWare 2024 brought together over 13,000 attendees from more than 90 countries and regions.

Experts addressed pressing challenges

The event convened policymakers, industry leaders, and cybersecurity experts to address the most pressing challenges of the digital age and advance global collaboration on cybersecurity. Speakers across various high-level panels addressed the importance of building trust and security in the digital era through dialogue and conversation among diverse stakeholders.

Attendees explored cutting-edge innovations such as AI-powered deepfake detection tools; secure-by-design solutions poised to transform critical information infrastructure (CII) sectors; and the world’s first app-based 5G networking slicing technology designed to enhance digital resilience in a rapidly digitalising world.

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The growing threat of ransomware and its effect on digital trust was a major area of discussion during GovWare. Related issues that were discussed included data security, online reliability, and resilience of digital services.

Speakers discussed strategies to enhance trust including international cooperation, moving beyond cybersecurity to digital resilience, and preparing for emerging technologies like AI and quantum computing.

Key announcements

Apart from several interesting sessions, GovWare 2024 also saw key announcements.

One was the global launch of the GDHP Guidance for Medical Device Cybersecurity (GMDC) by the Global Digital Health Partnership (GDHP) Cyber Security Work Stream in collaboration with Synapxe.

The GMDC comprises four medical device cybersecurity levels, with each higher level recommending more comprehensive assessments.

By recommending cybersecurity requirements for medical devices tiered into these four levels, GMDC will guide manufacturers in developing “secure-by-design” products.

The new framework has been adapted from the four levels of security assurance outlined in Singapore’s Cybersecurity Labelling Scheme for Medical Devices [CLS(MD)].

Another major announcement was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Cyber Youth Singapore (CYS) and SANS Institute to provide accessible cybersecurity training for youths.

This initiative included the launch of the CYS YouthxSkills (Cybersecurity) Scholarship, aimed at offering financially disadvantaged youths the opportunity to gain critical entry-level cybersecurity skills and certifications, empowering the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.

Cybersecurity needs to evolve

Image Engine’s Executive Director Ian Monteiro said this year’s GovWare reaffirmed the crucial need for cybersecurity to evolve in tandem with rapid technological advancements. Image Engine is the organiser of GovWare Conference and Exhibition.

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He added that as countries look toward securing their digital frontier, “we must never lose sight of the human element that underpins it”.

“Cybersecurity, after all, is a collective responsibility and as we address challenges such as privacy and cross-border data flows, we’re also spotlighting the importance of mental health, neurodivergence, and human capital in building resilient defences,” he said.

“Image Engine is proud to have fostered impactful discussions that brought diverse perspectives to the forefront, helping leaders from across industries and regions enhance risk management and resilience, and ultimately secure the digital frontier,” Monteiro said.

Exhibitors such as Trend Micro, Ensign InfoSecurity, Singtel, ST Engineering, Google Cloud Security and Schneider Electric were among those showcasing their innovations.

Preparations are already underway for next year’s event. GovWare will return from October 21-23, 2025, at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Singapore.