BY SIA LING XIN

THERE is no room for complacency in the face of terror and piracy threats to Singapore businesses, said Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security S. Jayakumar.

He explained that with the twin threats of terrorism and piracy, both the private and public sectors need to invest in security, with particular attention to info-communications and the supply chain. Otherwise, Singapore's reputation as one of the world's easiest and most secure economies to do business in will be at risk, he added.

Professor Jayakumar was speaking at yesterday's National Security Dialogue, which was attended by 700 business leaders.

The event, conducted annually since 2005, is organised by the Singapore Business Federation (SBF) and supported by the National Security Coordination Secretariat.

"The threat of terrorism is persistent, complex and always evolving," he said, adding that this is why Singapore - which is a transport and finance hub and hence an iconic target for terrorists - has to be prepared to deal with any hostile action.

He noted that in Singapore, two out of three businesses had encountered cyber-attacks since the beginning of this year, and while "cyber-attacks require little capital or manpower, the damage done can be severe".

He explained that the Internet has irrevocably altered the speed and way in which business is conducted, and "has spawned the creation of a virtual reality that has become an integral part of the day-to-day functioning of the real world".

However, "the very technologies that empower us to create and build, also empower those who want to disrupt and destroy", he said.

Moreover, the increasing incidence of piracy and maritime terrorism in recent years is a reminder to strengthen the supply -chain security, he said. As today's global economy is served by integrated supply chains, serious disruptions to maritime commerce and shipping lanes will affect the whole system, he added.

Highlighting "the need for continued vigilance and Whole-of-Nation efforts in national security", he said people and organisations must ingrain a "security mindset" and ensure that even in the event of major crises, businesses can continue with minimal disruption.

One such initiative to enhance security is the National Business Continuity Management (BCM) programme, launched by SBF in December 2008. It provides businesses with a customised framework to prepare themselves so as to minimise the impact of disruptions.

SBF chairman Tony Chew said: "A BCM-ready private sector will help enhance Singapore's reputation as a trusted hub for reliable and quality service."

The response has been impressive, with more companies joining the programme by registering with SBF.

Already, 40 firms have signed up so far this year - which is double the number for the whole of last year. One such company is Aik Moh Paints & Chemicals, which applied to join the BCM programme earlier this year.

Its project manager, Ms Luiemel Buenconcejo, said staff have found loopholes in the company's systems since its application for BCM certification.

For example, their database system needed at least two more back-up layers to ensure that they would still be able to access important information in the event of a cyber-attack.

"We have already fixed this weakness. If we did not, the system could be down for up to a week, and that would cause a lot of problems for our clients," she told my paper.

IPS Securex, a security firm that specialises in surveillance products, said it benefited from signing up for the certification earlier this year.

Managing director Richard Stuart said: "The certification is an assurance not just to clients, but to our staff as well.

"We want people to know that we have emergency measures to ensure everything can go on smoothly in place."

lingxin@sph.com.sg

For more my paper stories click here.