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Speakers at the Singapore OpenGov Leadership Forum held on May 18, 2017
The 3rd Annual Singapore OpenGov Leadership Forum held on May 18, 2017 saw sharing and learning of experiences and insights among nearly 200 delegates from Singapore’s public sector and international speakers from Australia, Estonia, Japan and the US.
The Forum was kicked off by OpenGov Asia Editor-in-chief, Mohit Sagar. He talked about the insanity of doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. He exhorted the audience to re-think how we think. He defined digital transformation as ‘the realignment of, or new investment in technology, business models, and processes to drive new value for citizens and employees to effectively compete in an ever-changing digital economy’.
But organisations continue to operate with a familiar legacy perspective of customers, processes, metrics, business models, and technology. To disrupt this, ICT executives should start small, pilot fast, iterate and scale up. Pockets of experimentation can be created within organisations, snapping them out of inertia. As the initiatives gradually become bolder, and results are seen, change agents seek support for new resources and technology. The next step is the formation of dedicated digital transformation teams to guide strategy and operations based on business and customer-centric goals. Finally, digital transformation becomes a way of business.
Striking a balance and getting the little things right
Senior Minister of State for the Ministry of Communications and Information and Ministry of Education, Dr. Janil Puthucheary (above) delivered a keynote address on building capabilities and platforms for a Smart Nation.
He expressed scepticism regarding the breathless predictions of our lives changing beyond recognition and the imminent singularity. However, technological disruption is very much real. He said that technology provides an opportunity to rethink the fundamentals, to think what is the role of government in this time, and how should the public sector can be transformed. The Singapore government has delivered for 52 years, not with reliance on a single big idea or technology but by getting the little things right and making the system work.
To ensure that the system continues to work in today’s disruptive world, it is critical to get the balance right. It includes the balance between regulation and avoiding constricting the space for innovation. It is also about the balance between the roles of the private and public sector. The private sector is great at taking risks and innovating, and there are certain areas which are best left to it.
But when the public good is not being served or a solution or platform is a critical enabler for the ecosystem, then the government might need to step in. The government might need to develop open platforms, on which private enterprises can layer their own models and operating systems and build products and services. For this, the public sector has to have in-house engineering expertise.
In Singapore, that is provided by the Government Technology Agency of Singapore (GovTech), which works with not just the Smart Nation and Digital Government Group but ministries and agencies across government. At other times, the government might have to play the role of a lead commissioning agent, working with the private sector to seed ideas and lead demand.
Even within the government, there needs to be a balance between central planning and execution and innovation within the various ministries, agencies and statutory bodies.
In addition, a whole-of-government cross-cutting approach is going to be crucial to achieve whole-of-society, whole-of-nation outcomes. “No one can be left behind. We must not accept that it is alright for some to succeed, for some to fall behind,” Dr. Puthucheary noted. The Smart Nation journey has to be inclusive from the point of view of every single citizen, every single government agency and every single company.
‘Integrate with the ecosystem to achieve true citizen centricity’
Mr. Kwok Quek Sin (above), Director, Product Management at the Government Digital Services team in GovTech started his presentation, bringing up PM Lee Hsien Loong’s admonishment that Singapore is not moving fast enough in its Smart Nation journey for all the pushing.
The expectations are high not just from the country’s leaders but also from the man on the street, which serves to underline the importance of the work being done by GovTech.
The Smart Nation and Digital Government Office was formed, bringing together staff from the Digital Government Directorate of the Ministry of Finance (MOF), the Government Technology Policy department in the Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI), and the Smart Nation Programme Office (SNPO) in the PMO. Mr. Kwok said that smart nation (Rallying the country to use technology and data to solve its problems and address existential challenges) and digital government (enhancing public services delivery through the use of technology, data and design) strategies are two sides of the same coin.
He shared his views on what would the areas of focus for GovTech, both as a service provider as well as an ecosystem enabler. He listed 6 areas, cautioning that it was not a comprehensive list.
Digital Government will take on a more data-driven approach to improving user experience. Performance and conversion metrics are being tracked within services and also across services. Digital services will aggregate towards personalized, context aware and anticipatory services. It is no longer about having many services, but rather about aggregating digital services across agencies in a citizen-centric fashion, rather than an agency or function centric manner.
Mr. Kwok said that micro-services, APIs and digital signatures will reduce need for government touch points for businesses. Corporates will be able to make regulatory submissions, for things like taxes, permits etc. directly from their own systems using authenticated or digitally signed APIs.
Mr. Kwok went on to say that true citizen-centricity cannot be achieved by just looking within government. He said, “We need digital government as part of the larger ecosystem.” In the future, people might be able to register their business while opening a bank account and apply for grants to supplement the loans obtained from the bank. The touchpoints for government services need not be government.
There’s an increasing move to focus on strategic digital platforms at the national level with open standards to enable the private sector to innovate. Many people expect the government to deal with problems the markets do not or cannot deal with. It could be that the financial investment required is too large for a single private enterprise or a trusted neutral party might be required. In these instances, the government can provide platforms which the industry can then leverage on.
In Singapore, two such digital platforms are being explored, for digital identity and data exchanges.
Mr. Kwok explained that with a national digital identity there is the question of whether the creation of one will lead to demand or whether supply should follow demand. It should not be a case, where the national ID remains largely a physical card with minimal digital use cases. That would defeat the purpose. Private sector commitment and involvement would be crucial for the success of this programme.
Earlier there was concern that usability of electronic ID cards could be hampered by the need for card readers. Without usability, there would be low citizen adoption and hence, few use cases. But now technology has evolved to a stage where usability and security enabled through a mobile device could promote widespread adoption of digital identity. The next few months could see more announcements from the Singapore government on this.
Complementing the digital identity platform, would be the government personal data repository, known as MyInfo. MyInfo is being extended to the private sector for consent-based eKYC services, starting with a pilot project with 4 banks. This is an example of secure and consent-based data exchange to promote greater collaboration, drive productivity and stimulate the digital economy.
Work is ongoing to bring onboard more private sector companies, and extending it more use cases, such as home loan applications, insurance and credit cards and possibly use cases for the non financial sector as well.
International speakers
Mr. Mehis Sihvart (above), Director of the Centre of Registers and Information Systems (RIK) in Estonia presented the Estonian case-study for Efficient e-governance in practice. RIK has developed and administers over 70 different systems and is the central ICT procurement body for the Estonian government.
He talked about the five pillars of e-government in Estonia, namely ID-card / Mobile ID / Smart ID for secure authentication and electronic signature; X-Road providing secure and decentralized data exchange; the principle of asking for info/ data only once; citizen ownership of data; and the state portal, eesti.ee.
Mr. Sihvart also outlined the Estonian Information Society strategy 2020. It is about ensuring interoperability (agreement signed with Finland in March 2017 which he discussed in his interview with OpenGov); having no legacy systems, mandating upgrades after 13 years; setting up data embassies to back-up the entire digital government ensuring it continues to operate if the main systems go down and expanding e-residency services.
This was followed by a presentation by Mr. Daniel Rothman (above), Chief Technology Officer, Department of IT, City of Boston on ‘Municipal networks and how they advance collaboration with the public and private sectors’. Mr. Rothman talked about the history of the Boston Fiber Optic Network (BoNET), which provides service for City offices and public safety. It started in 2008, connecting 130 city buildings with a 2GB backbone and a 1 GB edge. Currently, 180 city buildings are connected through a 1GB edge and a 10GB backbone, with multiple state agencies. There are plans to connect 330 buildings going forward, with a 100GB backbone and 1-10GB edge.
Using the example of how the City of Boston is using BoNET as a tool for collaboration with other municipal governments, Mr. Rothman spoke about sharing resources and building coalitions instead of being territorial and protective of resources.
Mr. Jag Rewal (above), Director, Whole of Victoria Government Technology Procurement Group talked about how ICT procurement is evolving in response to technology developments. He highlighted four major trends: Utility based computing as in pay as you go services; Transfer of priorities from buying Infrastructure to managing service providers – Cloud Services (IaaS, SaaS, PaaS); Transition of Capital costs to Operating expenses and agile Methodologies with no fixed price, scope or deadline. Then Mr. Rewal posed the question if agile procurement is a viable option or a myth. “Agile” environments are in direct contrast with Government procurement processes which focus on certainty and total cost of ownership and value for money considerations. The problem could be addressed through the use of panel arrangements and framework contracts that have pre-qualified rates (and terms), enabling a degree of agility within current procurement processes. Mr. Rewal said that there needs to be a greater emphasis on managing risk rather than cost.
There were presentations by Mr. Makoto Shibata (below-left), Head of Global Innovation Team – Digital Innovation Division at the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ (BTMU), Japan and Mr. Peter Buckmaster (below-right), Director of Digital Services at the NSW Department of Education.
Mr. Shibata spoke about the expanding FinTech landscape in Japan and the potential of Blockchain technology for transforming the financial services sector. He presented case studies of innovation within the Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, while Mr. Buckmaster talked about the development of a Global Experience Language through co-design.
Recognition of Excellence Awards
In conjunction with the event, OpenGov recognised fourteen Singapore government agencies for their contributions towards making Singapore a Smarter, Safer and more Sustainable nation! These agencies were recognised for innovative and disruptive use of technology in the public sector through optimisation of government processes, delivering citizen-centric services and pushing the boundaries.
We will be publishing details on the winning agencies and representative projects which were taken into consideration soon.
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In a significant stride towards enhancing cybersecurity in the realm of consumer Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices, the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) and the Connectivity Standards Alliance (Alliance) recently signed a Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA). This milestone agreement underscores a shared commitment to bolstering international cooperation and coordination in cybersecurity, with a specific focus on advancing the security standards of consumer IoT devices.
The MRA, signed by Mr Chua Kuan Seah, Deputy Chief Executive of CSA, and Mr Tobin Richardson, President & Chief Executive Officer of the Connectivity Standards Alliance, facilitates the mutual recognition of cybersecurity labels for consumer IoT devices.
By harmonising standards and procedures, the arrangement aims to reduce duplication in testing and costs for manufacturers, thereby fostering a more robust cybersecurity environment for consumer IoT devices globally.
Central to the MRA is the exchange and alignment of information related to relevant standards, requirements, and practices concerning the cybersecurity labeling of consumer IoT. This collaboration lays the groundwork for future developments in cybersecurity certification and labeling schemes, ensuring that evolving threats and technological advancements are adequately addressed.
Mr Chua Kuan Seah emphasised the significance of achieving global alignment for consumer IoT cybersecurity, citing it as a key objective since the launch of Singapore’s Cybersecurity Labelling Scheme in 2020. The agreement with the Alliance represents a significant step forward in this endeavor, bringing Singapore closer to its goal of establishing internationally recognised cybersecurity standards for IoT devices.
By promoting Cybersecurity-by-Design and Cybersecurity-by-Default principles, the MRA incentivises manufacturers to embed robust security measures into their IoT devices, ultimately enhancing cybersecurity for consumers worldwide.
The Connectivity Standards Alliance, formerly known as the Zigbee Alliance, is a consortium of companies devoted to developing standards envisioning seamless interaction to enhance daily experiences. With a membership of over 500 companies, the alliance collaboratively creates application profiles for interoperable products, thereby advancing IoT connectivity and fostering innovation in the industry.
Singapore remains deeply committed to bolstering cybersecurity measures both domestically and internationally. At the national level, initiatives are aimed at fortifying the nation’s digital defences, safeguarding critical infrastructure and protecting citizens and businesses from cyber threats. These efforts include the implementation of robust cybersecurity frameworks, regular cybersecurity exercises and drills, and the promotion of cybersecurity awareness among the populace.
The Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) plays a pivotal role in safeguarding Singapore’s cyberspace to bolster national security, support the digital economy, and protect the digital way of life. Through initiatives like the Singapore Cyber Emergency Response Team (SingCERT), CSA swiftly responds to cybersecurity incidents, ensuring the detection, resolution, and prevention of cyber threats.
As part of the Prime Minister’s Office and managed by the Ministry of Communications and Information, CSA oversees national cybersecurity functions, collaborates with sector leads to protect critical information infrastructure, and engages stakeholders to raise cybersecurity awareness.
OpenGov Asia reported that Singapore, represented by CSA, collaborates closely with ASEAN Member States (AMS) to establish the ASEAN Regional Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT), facilitating information-sharing and enhancing cybersecurity incident response coordination across the region.
Despite a significant increase in scam cases by nearly 50% to 50,376 in 2023 from 33,669 in 2022, proactive cybersecurity measures have led to a positive outcome. These positive trends are attributed to collaborative efforts among various agencies and stakeholders, including the Singapore Police Force, Infocomm Media Development Authority, Cyber Security Agency of Singapore, Smart Nation Group, Monetary Authority of Singapore, and private sector partners.
Singapore’s proactive efforts, including the proposal to host and fund the ASEAN Regional CERT’s physical activities, demonstrate its commitment to fostering regional cooperation and safeguarding critical information infrastructure on a transnational scale.
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Vietnam has emerged as a promising market in the global data centre landscape, with significant growth projected in the coming decade. According to the latest report from Viettel IDC, the country’s data centre market is forecast to reach a value of US$1.26 billion by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.8%. This projection underscores Vietnam’s increasing importance in the digital economy and its potential to become a key player in the data centre industry.
Despite its promising outlook, Vietnam’s data centre market currently lags behind its regional counterparts in terms of size. Compared to countries like Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia, Vietnam’s data centre market is relatively small. However, this is expected to change in the coming years as the country experiences rapid economic growth and invests heavily in digital infrastructure.
One of the key drivers of growth in Vietnam’s data centre market is the increasing demand for digital services and cloud computing. With the rise of e-commerce, digital banking, and other online services, there is a growing need for secure and reliable data storage and processing facilities. Data centres play a crucial role in meeting this demand by providing the infrastructure necessary to support these services.
Another factor contributing to the growth of Vietnam’s data centre market is the government’s support for digital transformation initiatives. In recent years, the Vietnamese government has prioritised the development of the digital economy as part of its broader economic strategy. This has included investments in digital infrastructure, as well as policies aimed at promoting innovation and entrepreneurship in the tech sector.
Furthermore, Vietnam benefits from a skilled workforce and relatively low construction costs compared to other countries in the region. This makes it an attractive destination for companies looking to establish data centre operations in Southeast Asia. Additionally, the government has implemented supportive regulatory frameworks to encourage investment in the sector, further stimulating growth.
Domestically, the data centre market in Vietnam is dominated by a few major players, including Viettel, VNPT, FPT, and CMC. These companies collectively hold approximately 97% of the market share, indicating a high level of concentration in the industry. However, there are still opportunities for new entrants, particularly in niche segments or specialised services.
Looking ahead, Viettel IDC predicts a significant expansion of Vietnam’s data centre market in the coming years. Plans are underway to build megacentres in major cities like Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, with an estimated total capacity of up to 450 MW. This represents a substantial increase from the current capacity and reflects the growing demand for data centre services in the country.
In addition to data centres, Vietnam’s cloud computing market is also experiencing rapid growth. While the market size is currently smaller than that of neighboring countries like the Philippines and Indonesia, Vietnam has the highest growth rate in the Southeast Asia region and ranks third in Asia overall. The projected growth rate of Vietnam’s cloud market over the next 5-10 years is expected to be around 19-20%, driven by increased adoption of cloud services by businesses and consumers.
Vietnam’s data centre market presents significant opportunities for growth and investment in the coming years. With supportive government policies, a skilled workforce, and increasing demand for digital services, Vietnam is well-positioned to become a major player in the global data centre industry. As the country continues to invest in digital infrastructure and technology, it is poised to emerge as a leading hub for data centre operations in Southeast Asia and beyond.
OpenGov Asia reported that Vietnam is rapidly becoming a key player in the global data center market, driven by factors like increasing digitalisation among SMEs, a tech-savvy young population, the rollout of 5G technology, and a rising demand for independent digital infrastructure and data sovereignty.
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Indonesia has been making strides in the realm of public service technology. Back in 2019, Indonesian President Joko Widodo announced his intentions to digitalise the government by 2025. The country has been focusing on digital transformation to improve public services and make them more accessible to citizens.
The Indonesian government has been enhancing digital-based public services to integrate all government digital platforms through a single sign-in for user convenience. They are also designing the National Digital Service Integration policy, which includes nine priority digital services: education, healthcare, social assistance, and population administration.
The Ministry of Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform (PANRB) focuses on the sustainability and replication of public service innovations, particularly leveraging digital technology to enhance these efforts. As part of this initiative, 20 government agencies are participating in a pilot test and calibration of instruments that will later be used to evaluate public service innovation development.
As Assistant Deputy for Coordination and Facilitation of Public Service Best Practice Development Strategy at the Ministry of PANRB, Ajib Rakhmawanto stated during the Pilot Test and Calibration of Instruments for Public Service Innovation Development Evaluation in Jakarta, “The Ministry of PANRB has a programme this year related to the evaluation of public service innovation development. This is a follow-up to the Public Service Innovation Competition (KIPP) we have been organising for the past 10 years, which needs to be evaluated to improve innovation development, especially in terms of KIPP implementation in the future.”
Critical aspects of the public service innovation development evaluation include monitoring the sustainability of Top Innovations, replication efforts, and the assessment of public service innovation development that has been ongoing in various government agencies.
To generate reliable and valid data or information, the Ministry of PANRB, in collaboration with experts from Gadjah Mada University and the University of Indonesia, has formulated evaluation instrument drafts. This pilot test aims to ensure the prepared evaluation instruments can accurately benchmark future public service innovation development evaluations.
Ajib encourages active participation in the pilot test of the prepared instruments, aiming to determine their reliability and validity for potential improvements.
Nailuredha Hermanto, a First Policy Analyst at the Ministry of PANRB, highlighted the goal of the public service innovation development evaluation: to gather information on the achievements of the Public Service Innovation Development Programme (PIPP) over the last decade, from 2014 to 2023. The review will focus on government agencies that have undertaken public service innovation development, along with the 1065 Top KIPP Innovations from 2014-2023 and innovations resulting from the replication of Top KIPP Innovations.
The evaluation utilises three instruments:
- A form for assessing the capacity and outcomes of innovation development by government agencies.
- A form for measuring the sustainability of innovations designated as Top KIPP Innovations.
- A form for evaluating innovations that result from replicating Top KIPP Innovations.
Agencies are encouraged to inventory whether they have replicated any award-winning KIPP innovations, as these can be assessed through the replication form.
The 20 government agencies participating in this pilot test and calibration of evaluation instruments for public service innovation development have previously been involved in KIPP and were selected as Top Innovations. This focus not only emphasises the importance of continuous innovation in public service but also underlines the crucial role of digital technology in facilitating these advancements.
Nailuredha remains optimistic that Indonesia is on course to achieve its goal of unified e-government by 2025 despite acknowledging that considerable work is yet to be completed. Since 2020, the country has made significant progress in enhancing e-government services and infrastructure, now moving into the implementation phase to guarantee uniform government service provision across all levels of government agencies, including both central and local bodies.
“The successful digitalisation of Indonesia’s government services by 2025 hinges on ongoing efforts. The eventual realisation and appearance of an e-Government in Indonesia remain to be seen with time,” Nailuredha concluded.
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CSIRO successfully delivered an innovative 3D mapping technology package to the International Space Station (ISS). This cutting-edge system marks a pivotal advancement in space technology, promising to revolutionise navigation and task execution aboard the orbiting laboratory.
As space exploration expands, the need for efficient inventory tracking, damage assessment, and emergency response in off-Earth environments becomes more evident. With lunar and Martian missions looming, where crew time is limited and some facilities may be uncrewed, the demand for accurate autonomous systems is critical. Additionally, rovers and robots exploring extraterrestrial terrain rely on precise mapping data for effective navigation.
In response to these challenges, CSIRO has developed a fused sensor system for autonomous 3D scanning in collaboration with an international air and space tech company, NASA Ames Research Centre, and the ISS National Laboratory. Originally designed for terrestrial applications like remote mine site access, this technology is now set to be demonstrated aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
The multi-resolution scanning payload will be integrated into an Astrobee robot platform, which supports astronaut activities on the ISS. This marks the first time a single piece of technology will utilise both payload bays of an Astrobee robot simultaneously.
Once deployed on the ISS, the multi-resolution scanner will conduct experiments, including full internal scans, beginning with the Japanese experimental module (Kibō). The data collected will support tasks such as inventory analysis, traditionally requiring human intervention, demonstrating the potential for autonomous caretaker functions on uncrewed spacecraft.
The culmination of extensive research and collaboration, this groundbreaking payload is poised to enhance the efficiency and safety of astronauts working on the ISS. Integrated into Astrobee, a versatile robot platform developed by NASA, the 3D mapping device is primed to generate detailed three-dimensional maps of the space station, surpassing previous mapping capabilities with unprecedented accuracy.
Dr. Marc Elmouttie, Research Group Leader at CSIRO, highlighted the overarching goal of this mission, stating, “Our objective is to demonstrate the efficacy of our technology in providing enhanced 3D sensing and mapping for robotics systems on spacecraft.”
This advanced mapping capability holds immense potential for streamlining operations within the ISS, enabling precise tracking of inventory movement and facilitating optimal planning of onboard activities for astronauts and mission controllers.
The technology behind this groundbreaking payload combines two pioneering CSIRO innovations – Stereo-Depth Fusion and Wildcat Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping. This synergy produces high-quality data about the surrounding environment and the device’s movements in space, offering unparalleled insights into spatial dynamics within the ISS.
Developed in collaboration with an international air and space tech company, with support from the ISS National Laboratory and NASA Ames Research Centre, this project underscores CSIRO’s commitment to innovation in remote operations and aerospace manufacturing. Leveraging its expertise in these domains, CSIRO aims to propel space exploration into new frontiers by advancing the capabilities of robotic systems in space environments.
Dr. Ryan Reeves, Technical Director of Research and Innovation for the ISS National Laboratory, emphasised the significance of testing such innovative technologies in low Earth orbit. He noted that these endeavours play a crucial role in shaping the future of space commerce and exploration, driving advancements that will pave the way for unprecedented scientific breakthroughs.
With the successful delivery of the 3D mapping payload to the ISS, the stage is set for a new era of space exploration. The device’s integration into the Astrobee platform marks the beginning of extensive experimentation and validation of its capabilities in the unique microgravity environment of the space station.
As the payload undergoes its first experimentation run in the Japanese Kibō module, anticipation runs high among scientists and engineers involved in the project. This milestone achievement represents a collaborative triumph in space technology, underlining the collective efforts of CSIRO, NASA and the international air and space tech company in advancing the frontiers of human knowledge and exploration beyond Earth’s boundaries.
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In a significant development, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) released a comprehensive set of recommendations on the usage of embedded SIM (eSIM) for Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communications. This comes at a crucial juncture, as the proliferation of IoT devices and the imminent rollout of 5G services underscore the pressing need for clear regulatory frameworks to govern emerging technologies.
Prompted by a directive from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), TRAI embarked on an extensive consultative process to solicit insights from stakeholders and industry experts. The formulation of these recommendations began with a consultation paper on ‘Embedded SIM for M2M Communications’ on 25 July 2022. TRAI then fostered extensive stakeholder engagement, including submissions and a virtual open house discussion on December 14, 2022, ensuring broad participation and inclusivity.
Against the backdrop of rapid technological advancement and evolving consumer needs, TRAI’s recommendations aim to address key challenges and opportunities in the realm of M2M communications. At the heart of these recommendations lies a dual commitment to fostering innovation and safeguarding consumer interests.
By delineating clear guidelines for the deployment and management of eSIM technology, TRAI seeks to lay the foundation for a robust and resilient M2M ecosystem that promotes transparency, security, and interoperability.
Central to TRAI’s recommendations is the imperative of ensuring robust security measures across the M2M value chain. Recognising the inherent vulnerabilities associated with IoT devices and the potential ramifications of security breaches, TRAI underscores the importance of implementing stringent Know Your Customer (KYC) protocols. By mandating proper verification procedures for device activation and subscription management, TRAI aims to mitigate fraud risks, safeguard network integrity, and enhance consumer trust in M2M communications.
TRAI’s recommendations encompass a comprehensive framework for profile switching of eSIMs and swapping of Subscription Manager-Secure Routing (SM-SR), thereby enhancing flexibility and choice for consumers. By enabling seamless transitions between different network providers and service plans, these provisions empower consumers to optimise their connectivity experience while promoting healthy competition within the telecom sector.
The rollout of 5G services in India has ushered in a new era of connectivity, unlocking unprecedented opportunities for innovation and economic growth. Against this backdrop, TRAI’s recommendations seek to capitalise on the transformative potential of M2M communications across diverse sectors such as agriculture, transportation, healthcare, and industrial automation.
Streamlining the regulatory landscape for M2M eSIMs will facilitate the seamless integration of IoT devices into existing networks, thereby catalysing the development of smart infrastructure and digital ecosystems.
Key stakeholders, including Unified Access Service License holders, Unified License holders, and M2M Service Providers, are envisioned to play pivotal roles in the implementation of these recommendations. By fostering collaboration and partnership between industry players, TRAI aims to ensure the effective deployment and management of eSIM technology, thereby enabling the realisation of India’s vision for digital self-reliance and technological sovereignty.
However, the journey towards realising the full potential of M2M communications is not without its challenges. TRAI acknowledges the complexities inherent in implementing these recommendations, particularly in the context of India’s diverse and dynamic telecom landscape. In this regard, TRAI has refrained from permitting the use of 901.XX IMSI series allocated by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) for M2M services in India, citing the need for a phased approach towards adoption and implementation.
TRAI’s recommendations represent a significant milestone in India’s journey towards harnessing the transformative potential of M2M communications. By providing a clear regulatory framework for the deployment and management of eSIM technology, TRAI seeks to foster innovation, promote consumer welfare, and advance the nation’s digital agenda.
As stakeholders gear up to embrace these recommendations, India looks to emerge as a global leader in M2M communications, driving sustainable development, and inclusive growth in the digital era.
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In the modern era, with digital technology at the core of virtually all aspects of life, from communication and work to home management and personal activities, the importance of energy resources such as oil and natural gas is immeasurable.
As people navigate this digital era, these critical energy resources’ seamless and secure availability is more significant than ever, highlighting a pivotal concern for ensuring society’s ongoing prosperity and well-being.
The ever-increasing interconnectedness of the global community means that the infrastructure facilitating the extraction, processing, and distribution of these indispensable resources is more reliant on digital networks and systems. This digital reliance introduces a complex web of vulnerabilities, making it imperative to safeguard these infrastructures from potential cyber threats that could disrupt the supply and integrity of oil and natural gas. The possible repercussions of such disruptions extend far beyond immediate economic impacts, threatening the fabric of the daily lives and national security.
In light of this, the United States has embarked on the initiative. The initiative, known as the 2023 Joint Cyber Defence Collaborative (JCDC) Pipelines Cyber Defence Planning Effort, represents an approach to cybersecurity in the energy sector.
It brought together more than 25 organisations from the Oil and Natural Gas (ONG) subsector, focusing mainly on high-throughput midstream natural gas pipeline owner-operators and their industrial control systems (ICS) vendors. This collaboration, in partnership with the Transportation Security Administration and the Department of Energy, was designed to address the multifaceted challenges posed by cyber threats, ranging from ransomware incidents to the persistent threats posed by nation-states. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) 2023 Annual Threat Assessment highlighted the latter’s capabilities to disrupt natural gas pipelines.
The cornerstone of this collaborative effort was the development of the ONG Pipelines Reference Architecture. This comprehensive network architecture diagram, accompanied by guiding principles, was crafted by pipeline owner-operators and ICS vendors. It is intended to serve as a voluntary model, directing investments, planning, and operations to enhance network segmentation and mitigate the risk of intrusion campaigns.
This architecture embodies practical guidance for advancing risk management strategies. It underscores the critical relationship between network segmentation, multi-factor authentication (MFA), the management of external dependencies, and the essential protection of field devices.
The significance of the ONG Pipelines Reference Architecture cannot be overstated. It provides a tangible framework for the ONG sector to elevate its cyber defence capabilities, emphasising the need for an integrated approach to security that spans technological, operational, and strategic dimensions. By encouraging the adoption of best practices such as network segmentation and MFA, the architecture aims to create a more resilient digital infrastructure capable of withstanding the evolving threats of the digital age.
This initiative is a prime example of the vision the Cyberspace Solarium Commission set forth and subsequently codified by Congress. It embodies a proactive, collaborative approach to cyber defence planning, aiming to effect real change in the cybersecurity posture of the nation’s critical infrastructure. By bringing together the key stakeholders in the ONG subsector – midstream pipeline owner-operators, ICS vendors, and government agencies – the JCDC Pipelines Cyber Defence Planning Effort has laid a solid foundation for transformative actions designed to harden the nation’s largest natural gas pipelines against digital compromises.
The importance of this effort extends beyond the immediate benefits of improved cybersecurity for the ONG sector. It represents a forward-thinking approach to protecting the critical infrastructures that fuel the economy and daily lives against an increasingly digital and interconnected world. As cyber threats evolve in sophistication and scale, initiatives like the JCDC Pipelines Cyber Defence Planning Effort will be pivotal in ensuring the resilience and reliability of essential services.
Engagement with the ONG Sector Coordinating Council is encouraged for those seeking further details on the ONG Pipelines Reference Architecture or wishing to contribute to this ongoing effort. This initiative marks a significant milestone in the journey towards a more secure and resilient digital infrastructure for the energy sector, highlighting the critical role of cross-sector collaboration in navigating the challenges of the digital age.
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In a landmark collaboration aimed at advancing healthcare through digital innovation, technology, and artificial intelligence (AI), the City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) and the Shenzhen Hospital of Southern Medical University (SMU) have forged a strategic cooperation framework agreement. Signed on March 20th, 2024, this agreement signifies a pivotal step towards fostering joint scientific research, technology transformation, and talent cultivation, with a particular emphasis on cutting-edge fields such as digital medicine, computer science, and biomedical engineering.
The signing ceremony, held at CityUHK and attended by esteemed dignitaries including Professor Liu Shuwen, Vice-President of SMU, and Professor Freddy Boey, President of CityUHK, underscored the commitment of both institutions to collaborative innovation in healthcare. President Boey expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, highlighting the potential for joint development and cooperation in life sciences and technological advancements.
He emphasised the establishment of the Institute of Digital Medicine at CityUHK as a key initiative that will leverage clinical resources from Shenzhen Hospital of SMU to drive research and projects, particularly in areas such as cell therapy and gene therapy.
Professor Liu echoed President Boey’s sentiments, noting CityUHK’s distinguished reputation and expertise across various research domains. He underscored the significance of the collaboration in deepening cooperation between the affiliated hospital of SMU and a leading university in Hong Kong. By pooling resources and expertise, the partnership aims to advance medical services in Hong Kong, Macao, Shenzhen, and beyond. Through joint efforts, both institutions aspire to provide international standard medical services, enhancing healthcare outcomes and fostering academic excellence in the region.
The strategic cooperation framework extends beyond research collaboration to encompass platform and resource sharing, joint academic programs, and the promotion of scientific research initiatives. These efforts are geared towards enhancing healthcare delivery, facilitating knowledge exchange, and driving innovation in medical practice. By leveraging digital health technologies and AI-driven solutions, the collaboration seeks to revolutionise healthcare delivery, improve patient outcomes, and address the evolving challenges of modern medicine.
Furthermore, the agreement aims to promote internationalisation and cooperation between Shenzhen and Hong Kong, aligning with broader efforts to strengthen ties and foster innovation in the Greater Bay Area. Through joint initiatives, such as the establishment of science and technological innovation platforms at the provincial and municipal levels, the collaboration aims to create synergies and opportunities for cross-border collaboration. By harnessing the collective strengths of both institutions, the partnership aims to position Shenzhen and Hong Kong as hubs for scientific research, technological innovation, and healthcare excellence.
In addition to fostering academic collaboration, the partnership emphasises practical outcomes and real-world impact. Through technology transfer and collaborative research projects, both CityUHK and Shenzhen Hospital of SMU seek to translate scientific discoveries into tangible solutions that benefit patients and communities. The agreement also facilitates academic exchanges, enabling researchers and healthcare professionals to share knowledge, expertise, and best practices.
Overall, the strategic cooperation framework agreement between CityUHK and Shenzhen Hospital of SMU represents a significant milestone in advancing healthcare innovation in the Greater Bay Area and beyond. By harnessing digital health, technology, and AI-driven solutions, the collaboration aims to address the complex challenges facing modern healthcare and pave the way for a more sustainable, resilient, and patient-centric healthcare system.