GovWare 2024, Singapore International Cyber Week Unite 13K+ Global Cyber Leaders to Shape the Future of Digital Resilience

The GovWare Conference and Exhibition (GovWare 2024), Asia Pacific’s premier cybersecurity event, brought together over 13,000 attendees from more than 90 countries and regions, alongside the Singapore International Cyber Week this year.

The event convened policymakers, industry leaders, and cybersecurity experts to address the most pressing challenges of the digital age and advance global collaboration on cybersecurity.

At GovWare 2024, themed “Securing Dynamic Digital Roadmaps: Relooking Signposts in Identity, Trust, and Resilience,” attendees explored cutting-edge innovations from Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered deepfake detection tools and secure-by-design solutions poised to transform CII sectors such as FSI and energy, to the world’s first app-based 5G networking slicing technology designed to enhance digital resilience in a rapidly digitalising world.

Key GovWare 2024 exhibitors such as Trend Micro, Ensign InfoSecurity, Singtel, ST Engineering, Google Cloud Security, and Schneider Electric were among those showcasing these transformative innovations.

Reflecting on the event, Ian Monteiro, Executive Director of Image Engine and organiser of GovWare 2024, said, “This year’s GovWare has reaffirmed the crucial need for cybersecurity to evolve in tandem with rapid technological advancements. Yet, as we look toward securing our digital frontier, we must never lose sight of the human element that underpins it. Cybersecurity, after all, is a collective responsibility—and as we address challenges such as privacy and cross-border data flows, we’re also spotlighting the importance of mental health, neurodivergence, and human capital in building resilient defences.”

He added: “We are proud to have fostered impactful discussions that brought diverse perspectives to the forefront, helping leaders from across industries and regions enhance risk management and resilience, and ultimately secure the digital frontier. The incredible turnout this year underscores our shared commitment to these values, driving us forward to reimagine cybersecurity not just as a technological imperative but as an investment in people.”

GovWare 2024 Sees Crucial Developments for a More Cyber Secure Future

A notable highlight of GovWare 2024 was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the SANS Institute and Cyber Youth Singapore (CYS) to provide accessible cybersecurity training for youths.

This initiative includes the launch of the CYS YouthxSkills (Cybersecurity) Scholarship, aimed at offering financially disadvantaged youths the opportunity to gain critical entry-level cybersecurity skills and certifications, empowering the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.

In another key announcement at GovWare 2024, the Global Digital Health Partnership (GDHP) Cyber Security Work Stream, in collaboration with Synapxe, the national HealthTech agency of Singapore, announced the global launch of the GDHP Guidance for Medical Device Cybersecurity (GMDC) at GovWare’s Healthcare Forum.

This global framework is designed to enhance medical device cybersecurity by guiding Medical Device Manufacturers in building secure-by-design products while helping healthcare delivery organisations identify secure medical devices during the selection process.

Supported by the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA), GovWare serves as the premier trade event of SICW, underscoring Singapore’s commitment to advancing global cybersecurity innovation and collaboration, not just on the policy level but by fostering connections between industry leaders, end-users, and government entities, bringing market developments and practical solutions to the forefront alongside policy insights.

In his welcome message, David Koh, Commissioner of Cybersecurity and Chief Executive of the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore, underscored the critical need to prioritise trust and security in our increasingly fragmented and complex digital landscape.

He also highlighted the vital importance of collaboration among policymakers, industry leaders, and academics, as well as the essential role of international cooperation and public-private partnerships in strengthening trust and security across the digital domain. He then shared that CSA’s collaboration with GovWare is central to its mission, aiming to deliver a comprehensive experience that integrates strategic discussions with innovative technology showcases and expert-led keynotes.

By working together across sectors and borders, we can create a world where innovation and security coexist, where trust underpins our digital interactions, and where the benefits of technology are accessible to all.

As GovWare 2024 concluded, preparations are already underway for next year’s milestone. GovWare will return from 21 to 23 October 2025, at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Singapore, continuing to drive cybersecurity innovation and global collaboration.