2 results
10 - Cyber Security
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- By Nur Azha Putra, National University of Singapore, Kevin Punzalan, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
- Edited by Mely Caballero-Anthony, Alistair D. B. Cook
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- Book:
- Non-Traditional Security in Asia
- Published by:
- ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute
- Published online:
- 21 October 2015
- Print publication:
- 12 March 2013, pp 267-289
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Summary
The cyber-attacks on South Korea and the United States, as well as those on Georgia in 2008 and Estonia in 2007 have awakened a certain consciousness in the minds of the international community, particularly that of the security community. As if triggered by a sense of vulnerability, when these cyber-attacks managed to disrupt normal services, states were hard pressed to extend national security policies to the realm of cyberspace especially those with highly developed information and communication technology structures. This chapter traces the securitization of cyberspace and ponders its implications for human security.
The secretary-general of the United Nation's (UN) International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Dr Hamadoun Toure, warned that the next world war could take place in cyberspace. Speaking to stakeholders from across all sectors including heads of state, Dr Toure called for global cooperation across all industries and sectors to provide cyber security which includes the protection of children, businesses and governments. He stressed that cyber security could only be achieved within an international global framework comprising countries who are committed towards protecting their citizens and privacy. “The next world war could happen in cyberspace and that would be a catastrophe. We have to make sure that all countries understand that in that war, there is no such thing as a superpower”, said Dr Toure.
Although Dr Toure's remarks seem alarming, he is not alone. The proliferation of cyber wars and cybercrimes have driven multilateral institutions such as the European Union (EU), North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as well as national governments such as the United States (U.S.), the United Kingdom (UK), Australia, Malaysia and Singapore towards securing their cyberspace.
Anti-cybercrime laws empower the national cyber security agencies with the legal mandate to protect the state's critical information and communications technology (ICT) networks and infrastructure, particularly from international cyber criminals and cyber terrorists. The initial phase of delivering ICT infrastructures which drove the transformation from the Industrial Society to the Information Society has now been coupled with efforts to secure cyberspace. ICT, which was initially meant to reduce the spatial dimension and enhance global communication, has now taken the added burden of national security and sovereignty.
8 - Energy
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- By Mely Caballero-Anthony, Nanyang Technological University, Kevin Punzalan, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Koh Swee Lean Collin, Nanyang Technological University
- Edited by Mely Caballero-Anthony, Alistair D. B. Cook
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- Book:
- Non-Traditional Security in Asia
- Published by:
- ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute
- Published online:
- 21 October 2015
- Print publication:
- 12 March 2013, pp 205-233
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- Chapter
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Summary
As East Asia rapidly develops, greater demands are being placed on governments to efficiently supply energy to sustain economic growth. Simultaneously, public awareness of environmental issues has placed new imperatives on energy planning. To meet these challenges, the concept of sustainable development must be incorporated into energy security strategies in order to balance the three priorities of energy security, economic growth and environmental protection. Alternative energy forms a cornerstone of such a strategy. From a brief examination of the contemporary developments in alternative energy sources in East Asia, this chapter shows that the use of “nuclear renaissance” for describing the energy future of the region is still premature, given that progress in this field has not been uniform and has largely stagnated. Instead, renewable energy developments show better progress and hold greater promise for East Asia. Instead of a “nuclear renaissance”, a “renewables renaissance” may be taking hold in the region.
LURKING UNCERTAINTIES
Continuing debates on energy security have been affected by two important global developments. First, the December 2009 Copenhagen Summit failed to reach a global consensus on a concrete plan to curb carbon emissions. As such, socioeconomically driven national self interests have led many states to focus on national-level carbon emissions reduction and energy efficiency strategies.
Second, as the world economy has begun to recover, it may lead to increasing energy demand. Since this increase follows patterns of population growth and development in Asia, many energy economists point to the long-term upward trend in energy prices. Michael Quah from Singapore's Energy Studies Institute has forecast that rising energy prices will continue despite erratic hydrocarbon prices and an uneven economic recovery.