Singapore Military Assists in Battling Major Cyberattack, Says Minister

Singapore, July 21: The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) has stepped in to assist in mitigating a recent large-scale cyberattack that targeted national digital infrastructure, according to Defence Minister Dr. Ng Eng Hen.

Speaking in Parliament today, the minister said the SAF’s digital and cyber defense units were mobilized in response to the sophisticated breach, which attempted to disrupt government services and compromise sensitive data. The attack, described as “persistent and coordinated,” prompted a multi-agency response involving the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF), the Cyber Security Agency (CSA), and other relevant government bodies.

“The SAF’s role in cyber defense is a critical pillar in our national security strategy,” Dr. Ng stated. “As threats evolve beyond traditional domains, the military must adapt to defend Singapore’s digital frontlines.”

He emphasized that while critical systems remained secure, investigations are still underway to assess the full extent of the attempted breach and its origins. Authorities have not ruled out the involvement of state-linked actors but declined to confirm any specific attribution at this stage.

This marks one of the first publicly acknowledged cases where the SAF has directly intervened in a national cyber incident, reflecting Singapore’s growing focus on cybersecurity as part of its total defense strategy.

The Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI) also issued a statement reaffirming that public access to essential services remains uninterrupted, and precautionary measures have been tightened across all government platforms.

Singapore’s digital defense capabilities were formalized with the establishment of the Digital and Intelligence Service (DIS) in 2022 under the SAF. Today’s events further underscore its operational importance in securing the nation’s cyberspace.

Authorities urge the public to remain vigilant against phishing scams and misinformation that may arise during this period. Further updates will be provided as investigations progress.