The deafening blast of the siren at 6 p.m. on February 15, 2025, made my heart skip a beat and almost made me jump off the chair. Is there a war or attack by… I came back to reality—it is total defense day!
Singapore is preparing for simulated power outages over the next two weeks as part of Total Defence Day 2025. This exercise, known as SG Ready, involves over 30 buildings experiencing blackouts to test responses to a mock scenario where ransomware spreads across the island through phishing emails. The aim is to encourage everyone to think ahead and be prepared for unexpected events.
In this scenario, a coordinated cyberattack targets Singapore’s critical infrastructure, beginning with a phishing email that infiltrates a power grid control office. Within minutes, ransomware locks the system, leading to widespread power outages that disrupt daily routines and plunge homes into darkness. Businesses are paralyzed as offices lose electricity, computers shut down, and factories halt production, causing delays and shortages across various industries.
The blackout affects the island, with offices and transport systems at a standstill. Refrigeration systems go offline, jeopardizing food, pharmaceuticals, and other temperature-sensitive goods, which could spoil and disrupt supply chains. This situation poses significant risks to public health and the economy.
Fortunately, backup power systems, such as generators, are in place to ensure that essential services like hospitals and emergency services continue operating. However, these backups have limited capacity. This raises the question: Is Singapore genuinely prepared for the next cyber threat? Do individuals and organizations have solid plans to maintain operations during unexpected significant disruptions?
Senior Lieutenant Colonel Sam Leu, Director of Community Engagement Nexus at the Defence Ministry, emphasizes that this year’s Total Defence theme is “Together We Keep Singapore Strong,” focusing on increasing readiness for disruptions. The exercise aims to remind Singaporeans of the resilience that has sustained the nation over the past 60 years and the importance of caring for each other during crises to remain united and strong.
Reflecting on the previous year’s exercise, which focused on food and water disruptions, Mr. Leu notes that this year’s emphasis is on power disruptions. Collaborating with the Energy Market Authority, the exercise seeks to educate everyone on responding to significant power disruptions leading to prolonged outages. Resources, including guides and tips, are available on the SG Ready Go Where website to help individuals, households, and organizations prepare.
The exercise encourages everyone to plan for disruptions, prepare to respond effectively, and play their part in maintaining Singapore’s resilience. Given the rise of hybrid warfare threats, such as cyberattacks and supply chain disruptions, assessing our readiness and improving where necessary is crucial. Total Defence encompasses six pillars: military, civil, digital, economic, social, and psychological defence. A whole-of-society response is essential, with strong social and psychological defence ensuring we care for each other and adapt to challenges.
The public can participate in this year’s Total Defence activities by visiting the SG Ready Go website, https://www.gowhere.gov.sg/sgready/, to find events and access resources. Schools are also involved in simulating power, food, or water disruptions and distributing ready-to-eat meals to educate students on crisis response. Additionally, several buildings will simulate blackouts to emphasize the importance of preparedness and collective effort in overcoming challenges.
The following is the Exercise Scenario, which can be found at the SG Ready Go Where site: https://www.gowhere.gov.sg/sgready/. There is even a Cybersecurity Table-Top Exercise Self-Facilitation Guide.
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