Singapore confirmed Wednesday it would cut off Internet access for government work stations within a year for security reasons, a surprise move in one of the world's most wired countries.
The decision will not disrupt government operations, the Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) said after local daily The Straits Times reported that some 100,000 computers would be affected.
“We have started to separate Internet access from the work stations of a selected group of public service officers, and will do so for the rest of the public service officers progressively over a one-year period," the IDA said in a written reply to AFP queries.
Industry sources said the measure was aimed at preventing cyber attacks as well as the spread of malware that might enter the government email network thought Internet-enabled work stations.
Singapore is one of the world's most Internet-savvy societies, offering broadband speeds envied by many.
A wide range of government services are available online, including registering for marriage, filing complaints to the police and video consultations with doctors.
Government services will not be disrupted by the security measures, sources familiar with the plan said.
The Straits Times said public servants would still have access to the Internet on their personal devices such as tablets and smartphones.
Dedicated Internet-linked terminals will be issued to civil servants who need them for work, the newspaper added.
The IDA said the government regularly reviews measures to make its network more secure.
"There are alternatives for Internet access and the work that officers need to do, does not change.”
Singapore announced in 2014 it was stepping up IT security measures following attacks on a section of the prime minister's website, as well the website of the presidential residence.
AFP
Wed Jun 08 2016
![Singapore blocking Internet access on government computers Singapore blocking Internet access on government computers](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2016-04/71460548286_internet.jpg)
Singapore said it would cut off Internet access for government work stations within a year for security reasons.
AWANI 7:45 [15/08/2024] – Nidza Afham selamat dikebumikan | Pembunuhan kejam | Sangkal dakwaan pengguna X | Srettha dilucut jawatan PM
#AWANI745 malam ini bersama Irfan Faruqi langsung dari Johor Bahru;
- Kematian Nidza Afham tiada unsur jenayah, punca masih tunggu siasatan makmal
- Pemain bola bawa kerambit masa gaduh rupa-rupanya senarai 'wanted' polis
- Produk Malaysia mendunia, kerajaan sasar tembusi pasaran antarabangsa
- Lebih 24 jam terkandas di Jeddah, jemaah umrah tuntut penjelasan Malaysia Airlines
- Kematian Nidza Afham tiada unsur jenayah, punca masih tunggu siasatan makmal
- Pemain bola bawa kerambit masa gaduh rupa-rupanya senarai 'wanted' polis
- Produk Malaysia mendunia, kerajaan sasar tembusi pasaran antarabangsa
- Lebih 24 jam terkandas di Jeddah, jemaah umrah tuntut penjelasan Malaysia Airlines
AWANI Ringkas: Jenazah ibu MB Kedah selamat dikebumikan
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari di Astro AWANI menerusi AWANI Ringkas.
AWANI Ringkas: Jenazah Nidza Afham selamat dikebumikan
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari di Astro AWANI menerusi AWANI Ringkas.
![Pemecatan Srettha sebagai PM Thailand mengejutkan - Pemerhati politik Pemecatan Srettha sebagai PM Thailand mengejutkan - Pemerhati politik](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/41723628910_TBSretthaThavisin.jpg)
Pemecatan Srettha sebagai PM Thailand mengejutkan - Pemerhati politik
Pertempuran antara ideologi parti rakyat dan parti-parti gabungan semasa akan menjadi semakin sengit.
![MCMC bakal lancar Kempen Kesedaran Keselamatan Dalam Talian - Teo MCMC bakal lancar Kempen Kesedaran Keselamatan Dalam Talian - Teo](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/61719727105_TeoNieChing.jpg)
MCMC bakal lancar Kempen Kesedaran Keselamatan Dalam Talian - Teo
Kementerian Komunikasi melalui Suruhanjaya Komunikasi dan Multimedia Malaysia (MCMC) bakal melancarkan Kempen Kesedaran Keselamatan Dalam Talian yang komprehensif dalam masa terdekat.
![Nenggiri miliki potensi jadi destinasi ekopelancongan Nenggiri miliki potensi jadi destinasi ekopelancongan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/41723703023_DunNenggiriekope.jpg)
Nenggiri miliki potensi jadi destinasi ekopelancongan
Pemandangan suasana pergunungan dalam kawasan Nenggiri yang dihiasi landskap menarik sering mengundang kunjungan pelawat untuk menikmati keindahannya, kata Malim Gunung Mohamad Saifful Rizal Jusoh.
![Pemenang emas Olimpik Indonesia Rizki Juniansyah ditawar kerja kerajaan Pemenang emas Olimpik Indonesia Rizki Juniansyah ditawar kerja kerajaan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/61723726414_TBRizkiJuniansyah.jpg)
Pemenang emas Olimpik Indonesia Rizki Juniansyah ditawar kerja kerajaan
Rizki Juniansyah, yang memenangi pingat emas dalam acara angkat berat 73kg lelaki di Sukan Olimpik Paris 2024 telah menerima tawaran pekerjaan daripada Kementerian Belia dan Sukan Indonesia.
![Rusia kosongkan lebih banyak kawasan di Kursk berikutan pencerobohan Ukraine Rusia kosongkan lebih banyak kawasan di Kursk berikutan pencerobohan Ukraine](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/61723726901_TBMissile.jpg)
Rusia kosongkan lebih banyak kawasan di Kursk berikutan pencerobohan Ukraine
Daerah itu mempunyai lebih 17,500 penduduk berdaftar sebelum Rusia melancarkan pencerobohan besar-besaran ke atas Ukraine pada Februari 2022.
![Ringgit ditutup rendah berbanding dolar AS Ringgit ditutup rendah berbanding dolar AS](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-04/41713876066_TBringgitmalaysia.jpg)
Ringgit ditutup rendah berbanding dolar AS
Data CPI AS untuk Julai turun kepada 2.9 peratus pada asas tahunan berbanding tiga peratus pada Jun.
![Lesen Ali Baba: Pembantu penguat kuasa DBKL didenda RM13,000 Lesen Ali Baba: Pembantu penguat kuasa DBKL didenda RM13,000](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/71722937565_courtgavelmahkam.jpg)
Lesen Ali Baba: Pembantu penguat kuasa DBKL didenda RM13,000
Hakim Azura Alwi menjatuhkan hukuman itu terhadap Syahrul Riza Md Yusof, 42, dan memerintahkannya dipenjara 21 bulan, jika gagal membayar denda.