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SingHealth fiasco: Thousands of Internet-linked computers rendered system susceptible to hackers’ infiltration, says Deputy Prime Minister

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6 years ago

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Thousands of SingHealth’s front-line computers had exposed its system to hackers’ infiltration due to their connectivity to the Internet, said Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean on 24 July.

Speaking at the Public Service Engineering Conference 2018 at Resorts World Sentosa yesterday, Mr Teo said: “The front-end computers continued to be connected to the Internet. This provided intruders with an attack surface of many thousands of users in the medical and academic community.”

“We could and should have implemented Internet surfing separation on public healthcare systems just as we have done on our public sector systems,” he noted, higlighting the importance of de-linking computers containing sensitive data from the Internet and stating that the SingHealth breach “could have and would have” been prevented otherwise.

Adding to the above statement, Mr Teo, who is also the coordinating minister for national security, said: “This would have disrupted the cyber kill-chain for the hacker and reduced the surface area exposed to attack.”

Consequently, he said that the de-linking of computers in the public healthcare clusters from the Internet has already been done.

He also noted that the stolen data was “exfiltrated to external servers outside Singapore”.

However, the authorities have yet to identify the suspects.

“This case reinforces the importance of reporting any intrusion promptly to the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA),” he stressed.

He also highlighted the significant role of “system logs such as those in the IT system which allowed investigations and diagnoses” in the effort to “contain the intrusion, identify the mode of intrusion, the attack vector, and scope out the extent of damage.”

Mr Teo also advised engineers at the seminar to treat cybersecurity “very seriously” and to be prepared to promptly face such cyberattacks, and on a larger scale, the rapid evolution of interconnectivity within and among digital systems on a global level.

He cited as an example that the Government had detected an almost tenfold increase in phishing attacks in Singapore since 2016.

“We need to design our systems and operate them to keep out an attack; detect any intrusions which may have slipped through; respond and deal quickly with such intrusions,” said Mr Teo, who stressed that the attack on SingHealth should not deter Singapore from its ambitions to build a Smart Nation.

He acknowledged, however, that technical solutions were not enough in dealing with the recent breach, and that the Government would have to explain the incident to the public and address their concerns “as transparently as possible”.

“That is why we are taking the matter very seriously, and have appointed a Committee of Inquiry to look thoroughly into all these aspects, and how we can do better,” said Mr Teo.

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Government

PSD announces mid-year bonuses of 0.3 months and one-time payment of up to S$400 for civil servants in Singapore

Singapore’s civil servants will receive mid-year bonuses, with a 0.3-month Annual Variable Component (AVC) and junior grade officers to get an additional one-time payment of up to S$400.

The Public Service Division (PSD) said the decision “takes into consideration the weakened economic outlook, and significant downside risks that remain in the global economy.”

Published

1 year ago

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19 June 2023

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SINGAPORE — The Public Service Division (PSD) revealed on Monday (19 June) its decision to grant mid-year bonuses to civil servants in Singapore.

The government has allocated a mid-year Annual Variable Component (AVC) of 0.3 months for all civil servants. Additionally, junior grade officers will receive an extra one-time payment of up to S$400 (US$298).

The specific amount of the one-time payment depends on the civil servants’ respective job grades.

Civil servants in grades equivalent to MX13(I) and MX14 will receive an additional S$200, while those in grades equivalent to MX15 and MX16, along with those in the Operations Support Scheme (OSS) Grades III and IV, will receive a higher one-time payment of S$400.

PSD said the move comes after close consultations with public sector unions.

“This mid-year payment takes into consideration the weakened economic outlook, and significant downside risks that remain in the global economy.”

According to the PSD’s statement on Monday, Singapore’s economy experienced a modest growth rate of 0.4 percent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2023. This expansion represents a slowdown from the 2.1 percent growth observed in the previous quarter.

The Ministry of Trade and Industry has maintained its GDP growth forecast for 2023, estimating a range of “0.5 percent to 2.5 percent.” The government expects growth to settle around the mid-point of this forecast range.

However, there are concerns about the weakened external demand outlook and increased downside risks, including the potential impact of tighter global financial conditions and geopolitical tensions.

“The labour market continued to expand in the first quarter of 2023, albeit at a more moderated pace compared to the previous quarter.”

Total employment expanded for the sixth consecutive quarter, and unemployment rates remained low.

Given this backdrop, the government, in close consultation with public sector unions, has decided to provide all civil servants with a mid-year AVC of 0.3 months.

“In deciding the year-end AVC payments, the Government will continue to monitor the economic situation closely, and take into consideration the guidelines by the National Wages Council which will be released later in the year,” stated the PSD.

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Government

After transport minister’s spot-check at LRT, Malaysia’s health minister too conducts a spot-check at Klang Hospital

Published

2 years ago

on

30 December 2022

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SELANGOR, MALAYSIA —  Malaysia civil servants now may need to have a stronger heart as well as being constantly alert, as some of their ministers might just decide to conduct spot checks at their workplace anytime to check their performance.

After the newly appointed Transport Minister Anthony Loke went incognito on LRT system for a spot-check, netizens also spotted Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa making an unofficial visit to Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah(HTAR) in Klang on 28 December night.

Twitter user Ianiske shared a photo, showing that the minister did make a visit to the hospital, and spoke with some patients there to understand the issues on the ground regarding the public health services.

“Ok, I have checked, ” Ianiske wrote, “the health minister was at Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital last night. HAHA.”

“Who would even notice her when she came by like a patient? No wonder she seems like asking people around. No one even realizes that she is the health minister.”

https://twitter.com/ansaleya/status/1608284539729678336

In the subsequent post, Ianiske also suggested that the minister should visit the hospital during peak hours, “Please.. just like my parents often refer to the government hospital. This govt issue has many critical issues.”

The Twitter user added that there are also other problems such as long patient waiting time and parking issue at hospital, hoping that the new Health Minister will look into these issues.

Zaliha: I wish to hear feedback from patients

On Thursday (29 Dec), Dr. Zaliha Mustafa confirmed that she had gone down to monitor the situation at the emergency department of HTAR hospital.

“I wish to hear feedback from patients about the services at HTAR, including the issue of long waiting times in the emergency department. ”

She said during the spot-check, she also heard suggestions from the emergency department workers to improve health services. They also expressed their concern for the issues raised.

“I will also strengthen the initiatives that are already implemented by HTAR before, and will see if they can be used in other emergency departments.”

She added that among the HTAR initiatives include arrangement for a short stay ward for stable patients who are expected to return after two or three days, and manage sick bed usage via digital technology and communication between hospital and public health clinic.

Dr Zaliha also promised to bring back all feedback that she received to the health ministry meeting to further improve the patient waiting time at the hospital’s emergency department.

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