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Kolette Lim

Global cooperation is needed to help smaller and developing nations defend themselves against cyber threats, Singapore has warned, stressing that cybersecurity is “only as strong as its weakest link”.
Speaking on Thursday at the Singapore International Cyber Week – a week‑long gathering of global policymakers, industry leaders and cybersecurity experts to address digital governance and threat preparedness – Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said states with fewer resources remained the most vulnerable targets because they often lacked the infrastructure and expertise to counter attacks effectively.
He urged governments and tech firms to work together in boosting cyber capabilities and ensuring that developing nations were included in global discussions on digital governance.
“Cyberspace has become a borderless fabric that enables us to observe, communicate, mobilise and transact at a scale and speed that is unprecedented,” Balakrishnan said.
“It is in our collective interest to enhance the capacity of everyone,” he added. “Cybersecurity is only as strong as its weakest link.”
During a panel session on the same day, policymakers and diplomats echoed his call for multilateral cooperation in an increasingly fragmented digital landscape, but acknowledged that building trust among countries was a challenging task.
At the discussion, Balakrishnan voiced his concern about the growth of artificial intelligence and its impact on diplomacy. He noted that while diplomacy centred mostly around humans, AI was a “statistical calculating machine”, and it would be hard for leaders to come to an agreement if it involved the technology.

Helen Popp, Estonia’s ambassador at large for cyber diplomacy, noted that despite breakthroughs in the signing of UN agreements on cyber cooperation, adherence to rules was still lacking due to nations prioritising their self-interests.
Among these agreements is the adoption of a global mechanism in July aimed at addressing responsible state behaviour in cyberspace, including commitments to develop voluntary norms and reduce risks through confidence-building measures.
“Many underlying frictions were largely left unresolved, including how inclusive those processes should be, and how to balance sovereignty with the global nature of the internet,” said Popp, who noted rising instances of agreement breaches and malicious attacks.
Speakers at the conference also noted a rise in state-sponsored attacks in recent years.
China and the US have accused each other of multiple cyberattacks this year, including a claim by Beijing earlier this month of Washington’s infiltration of the Chinese national time centre.
In July, Singapore said its local critical infrastructure was attacked by UNC3886, later identified by Google-owned cybersecurity firm Mandiant as an espionage group with links to China.
The panel agreed that greater transparency, legislation and accountability were required to achieve cyberspace cooperation between governments and major tech companies.


Several participants suggested making UN norms and rules enforceable to hold countries accountable.
“We need to create transparent and meaningful consequences for malicious actors in cyberspace,” Popp said.
Jiri Kozak, the first deputy minister of foreign affairs of the Czech Republic, said there was a need to include developing countries in cyberspace discussions, as without their participation, it would be harder for the world to introduce the relevant laws.
Balakrishnan said discussions on such issues should be inclusive, citing the conference involving speakers from the US, China, Russia and Singapore as an example. “Incorporate people whose views are diametrically opposed to you.”
On adherence to global cyber rules, he added that citizens should be informed of the actions of their individual countries.
“By having transparency and making voters aware of the implications of your decisions, designs and technology and its application, I believe that political pressure could be brought to leaders who would then do the right things on the global stage.”


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Singapore urges cooperation against cyber threats to protect developing nations

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Singapore’s Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam says nations must rebuild trust and strengthen the rules-based order in cyberspace amid a surge in attacks. Photo: Shutterstock

Speakers discuss ways to achieve cyber cooperation during a panel at the Singapore International Cyber Week on Tuesday. Photo: Kolette Lim

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Minister Vivian Balakrishnan says states with fewer resources are most vulnerable to cyberattacks against their infrastructure


Minister Vivian Balakrishnan says states with fewer resources are most vulnerable to cyberattacks against their infrastructure.


Singapore urges cooperation against cyber threats to protect developing nations

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Minister Vivian Balakrishnan says states with fewer resources are most vulnerable to cyberattacks against their infrastructure

Minister Vivian Balakrishnan says states with fewer resources are most vulnerable to cyberattacks against their infrastructure