Cyber risk awareness stalls
Singaporeans rank first in the world in terms of cybersecurity and internet privacy knowledge, according to the latest research by the cybersecurity company NordVPN.
Yet, as the cyberspace becomes scarier in the digital age, even Singapore’s cybersecurity competency is under stress.
NordVPN’s annual National Privacy Test (NPT), a global survey that evaluates people’s cybersecurity and online privacy awareness, shows Singapore’s NPT score has dropped from 64 to 62 out of a hundred, although still world-leading ahead of Finland and Lithuania (61/100), and Germany and the United States (60/100).
Interestingly, NordVPN found Singaporeans much less aware of privacy issues when using AI for work and compared to 2023, fewer Singaporeans understand the security benefits of updating apps.
“Technological advancements might be overwhelming for some people, which may make them struggle to keep up,” says Marijus Briedis, chief technology officer (CTO) at NordVPN.
“Convenience-driven online applications become more ingrained in our daily lives, and people often prioritise ease of use over privacy, unintentionally exposing themselves to risks.”
“This trend only confirms the growing need for more education in protecting our personal data online,” Briedis added.
Token effort by Australia
Australia plans to introduce a one-stop shop for its citizens to prove their identity, check into hotels and even submit qualifications for job applications.
The federal government’s proposed “Trust Exchange” ID system would use QR codes made popular during the COVID-19 pandemic, or a “tap-to-pay” system to let people share information kept under their MyGov accounts.
A pilot of “TEx” will be launched early next year the ABC reports.
The government hopes the system, which will not be compulsory, can stop businesses from having to hold people’s sensitive documents, which can be targeted by cybercriminals.
Under the proposed system, someone checking into a hotel could scan a QR code and share their passport information through a centralised system.
A token — described by government as a kind of digital “thumbs up” — would be provided and a person’s details would be kept private.
OCTO tackles friction
Not-for-profit association OCTO, which is developing a seamless connectivity standard for the tours, activities, and attractions industry, has exceeded 130 resellers and technology providers using its open specification.
Formed in 2022 by a consortium of technology providers, distributors and other organisations, OCTO’s API specification can be used as a template for new API connections or as an add-on to an existing API.
Carrie Keplinger, executive director of OCTO, said the current fragmented landscape of booking systems and APIs creates “unnecessary friction and complexity”.
“OCTO is changing that by fostering a unified standard, enabling businesses to connect effortlessly and focus on delivering exceptional experiences,” Keplinger added.
Events and intelligence platform Arival has been instrumental in facilitating OCTO meetings at its events.
The upcoming Arival 360 San Diego conference, to be held at the Town and Country Resort in San Diego from 30 September to 3 October, will provide another forum for industry leaders to collaborate on OCTO’s continued development.
OCTO’s open-source specification is free to use, making it accessible to businesses of all sizes.
Speeding suitcases face ban
Japanese airports are cracking down on motorised suitcases because of safety concerns, heightened by the risks of their lithium-ion batteries.
Ride-on suitcases can reach maximum speeds of 13 kilometres per hour, not excessively fast but airport authorities believe that in crowded terminals this presents an unacceptable risk to unwary travellers.
Singapore’s Changi Airport was one of the first to ban ride-on suitcases.
Tokyo’s Haneda Airport has banned the use of rideable suitcases in terminals to avoid collisions with other passengers, according to the Kyoto News agency.
Narita International Airport has not gone that far, instead issued an advisory asking passengers in its terminals to monitor their surroundings due to the increased use of rideable suitcases.
Japan has also enacted laws that require riders of motorised suitcases to have a driver’s licence to ride beyond airports after a Chinese woman was apprehended for riding a electric suitcase on a sidewalk in Osaka.