Sectors & markets
MINDEF to Deploy Sectoral Cybersecurity Teams to Help Protect Essential Services
Singapore’s Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) is strengthening the resilience of its Critical Information Infrastructure (CII) against Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs) by establishing Sectoral Cyber Defence Teams (SCDTs). These teams will comprise regular personnel and operationally ready National Servicemen (NSmen), many of whom bring relevant expertise gained through their civilian careers in technology and cybersecurity. Operating under the Digital and Intelligence Service (DIS), the SCDTs will be deployed from June across key sectors such as telecommunications, energy, and transport, working in close collaboration with the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore.
This initiative marks a strategic shift for the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), moving from a reactive approach to a more coordinated, proactive, and persistent cyber‑defence posture. The teams will also foster sector‑specific cybersecurity communities, facilitating the sharing of best practices and ensuring skilled reservists are assigned to operationally relevant roles.
To support training, MINDEF will launch the first phase of a Cyber Firing Range in 2026 by upgrading its Cyber Defence Test and Experimentation Centre (CyTEC). The facility will simulate complex cyber‑attack scenarios using artificial intelligence and enable collaboration with government agencies, industry partners, and international counterparts.
Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing noted that both state and non‑state actors are increasingly using cyber tools to exert pressure without crossing the threshold of armed conflict. Singapore’s highly interconnected systems make it particularly vulnerable, with blurred lines between civilian and military targets.
Recent incidents, such as attacks by the UNC3886 group against local telecommunications operators, underscore the growing threat. By organising skilled reservists within the SCDTs, Singapore aims to establish a sustainable and adaptive defence against evolving cyber risks.
- Source:Samuel Devaraj, 27/02/2026, The Straits Times
- URL: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/mindef-to-deploy-sectoral-cyber-teams-to-help-defend-critical-services
