WHAT IS TOTAL DEFENCE?

As a small, multi-racial, multi-religious nation dependent on free trade to survive, and connected to the world by air, sea and the Internet, Singapore is inevitably affected by developments around the world in some way or another. Since its launch in 1984, Total Defence has rallied Singaporeans together in responding to challenges that threaten Singapore's independence and well-being, such as terrorism, SARS and economic downturns. The core message is that every Singaporean has a part to play to help strengthen our defences against these threats and challenges.

We now face new challenges from the digital domain that have no physical boundaries or battlefields. Cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns, and fake news are some of the ways that can now be used to divide and weaken us. We have thus added a sixth pillar of Digital Defence to the existing five pillars of Military, Civil, Economic, Social, Digital and Psychological Defence that explain the actions we can take to help us deal with the spectrum of military and non-military threats.

Military Defence

"Military Defence" is about "Keeping Singapore secure". This pillar emphasizes the need for a strong Military Defence to defend Singapore when attacked or to deter foreign intervention and prevent an attack. The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) is a conscript armed force, depending on not only its Regulars but also the commitment of its National Servicemen with the support of their families and employers. The mission of the SAF is to "enhance Singapore's peace and security through deterrence and diplomacy, and should these fail, to secure a swift and decisive victory over the aggressor". As part of the mission, the SAF strives to maintain a high state of operational readiness 24/7.

Civil Defence

"Civil Defence" is about "Taking care of our family, friends, and people around us in times of crisis". Civil Defence emphasizes the need to learn what to do in an emergency before it happens - such as taking part in emergency exercises and attending first-aid and emergency preparedness programmes that the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) conducts to order to respond more effectively in times of crisis. Looking out for and reporting anything suspicious in response to the threat of terrorism is also part of Civil Defence.

RUN,HIDE,TELL:https://youtu.be/NL96sHr75LA

Economic Defence

Economic Defence" is about "Having a strong and resilient economy".^[2] It involves building up a strong and robust economy that can sustain Singapore through economic challenges and national emergencies. It means that the government, employers and trade unions working together to ensure there is good infrastructure and the economy is competitive. Individuals play a part by retraining and upgrading, and by keeping up with new technologies and new ways of doing things.

Social Defence

Social Defence" is about "Living harmoniously and looking out for one another".^[1] This pillar emphasizes the need to prevent extremist ideologies and racial prejudice and discrimination to endanger social cohesion and harmony. It involves befriending, accepting and helping people of different ethnicities as well as showing consideration for one another, respecting and being sensitive to the needs and religious and cultural practices of others.

Psychological Defence

"Psychological Defence" is about "Being a resilient people". While being prepared is the key to Total Defence, it is always the fighting spirit, the will, the resilience of Singaporeans that determines whether or not Singapore will overcome a crisis. It involves understanding the history and the principles that helped Singapore succeed, and having a strong resolve to stay united and keep Singapore strong and special.

Digital Defence

Digital Defence – Be Secure, Alert, and Responsible Online– is a whole-of-nation effort to protect and defend ourselves and our nation online. It requires Singaporeans to a) practise good cybersecurity habits, b) guard against fake news and disinformation, and c) consider the impact of our actions on the community.

Be Secure – Practise Good Cybersecurity Habits

In the fight against threats from the digital domain, prevention is key and everyone has a part to play. Singaporeans should keep a lookout for and proactively protect themselves from threats such as phishing and attempted intrusions. They should be aware of ongoing cybersecurity issues and learn how to take personal actions to counter these threats. For example, use strong passwords and ensure that their passwords and user IDs are not based on personally identifiable information such as names and

ALL Info from the six pillars:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_defence

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