Policy Analysis: Singapore's public-private partnerships for cybersecurity in the critical infrastructure sectors - Challenges and Opportunities

Abstract

It has been more than 15 years since the first public-private partnership for cybersecurity, “Partnership for Critical Infrastructure Security”, was established in the United States by the Clinton administration in 2000. Such partnerships leverage on the strengths of both the public and private sectors, and have become essential given the extent of privatisation, deregulation and globalisation in many countries’ critical infrastructure sectors. While the number of such initiatives are growing around the world, the cybersecurity problem does not seem to be slowing down. What are the challenges and opportunities with such partnerships? How can governments impose punitive regulatory structures and at the same time seek cooperative arrangements with the private sector? This analysis examines Singapore’s strategy and use of PPPs for tackling the issue of cybersecurity in its critical infrastructure sectors.