The average monthly number of reported cyber incidents in Singapore has tripled since September compared with the January-August period, prompting the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) to urge organizations to strengthen their cyber defenses against increasingly opportunistic attacks.

CSA said in a statement on Friday that it has been closely monitoring these developments. It noted these incidents do not appear to be part of coordinated campaigns targeting Singapore but reflect a broader global trend of opportunistic attacks.

Some incidents have also involved compromised third-party suppliers, underscoring the importance of managing supply-chain risks, it added.

CSA, therefore, urges all organizations to take immediate steps to strengthen their cyber defenses, as cyber threat actors increasingly exploit exposed vulnerabilities and poorly secured systems.

“Cyberattacks are increasingly opportunistic. Threat actors actively scan the Internet for vulnerable systems, and organizations can become victims even if they are not specifically targeted,

“The growing use of artificial intelligence by threat actors could further accelerate the discovery and exploitation of vulnerabilities, reducing the time organizations have to secure their systems,” it said.

It also said that all organizations, regardless of size or sector, should take steps now to protect themselves.

In particular, CSA urges organizations to prioritize securing internet-facing systems, promptly patching known vulnerabilities, implementing multi-factor authentication, and monitoring for suspicious activities.

“Organizations should also ensure that their business continuity plans are ready to be activated in the event of a cyber incident,” it said.

SA has also briefed all Critical Information Infrastructure sectors and is working closely with CII Owners to strengthen their cyber defenses.

It has also engaged key Trade Associations and Chambers to help businesses understand the evolving threats and take appropriate preventive measures.

Organizations are also encouraged to tap on CSA’s CISO-as-a-Service program to engage professional consultants to develop tailored cybersecurity plans, with up to 70 percent co-funding available to eligible small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

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