Singapore urges cooperation against cyber threats to protect developing nations

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.