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The Government Technology Agency (GovTech) is a new statutory board formed in October 2016 after the restructuring of the Infocomm Development Authority.

GovTech works with public agencies to develop and deliver secure digital services and applied technology to individuals and businesses in Singapore. GovTech builds key platforms and solutions needed to support Singapore as a Smart Nation. As a leading centre for information communications technology (ICT) and related engineering such as the Internet of Things, GovTech also enhances the capabilities of the Singapore Government in these domains.

The GTA is headed by Jacqueline Poh, formerly Managing Director of the Infocomm Development Authority (IDA).

The IDA’s Government Chief Information Office, headed by Chan Cheow Hoe, was moved to the GTA. The agency also took over responsibility for the Government Digital Services unit.

The IDA’s remaining functions were merged with the Media Development Authority to create a new Info-communications Media Development Authority (IMDA). This agency is now responsible for promoting and regulating ICT and media businesses. It has also taken over responsibility for personal data protection.

Steve Leonard, Executive Deputy Chairman of the IDA, moved to the IMDA as Deputy Chairman. The agency is headed by Gabriel Lim, formerly CEO of the Media Development Authority.

Capability Centres[]

In its ambition to be a Smart Nation, Singapore will depend on the innovation developed in the country as well as the entrepreneurial spirit and problem-solving skills of its people.

To provide a platform for this, GovTech is tasked with building the foundational layer for the Smart Nation.

In doing so, it seeks to build capabilities in new technologies that will be important to a Smart Nation in the years ahead.

It is also on the lookout for talents in the infocomm technology sector who can provide the spark to create a connected future.

GovTech is focused on building six capability centres:

  • Application Development (Software Design & Development, and Solution Architecting)
  • Cybersecurity (jointly with Cybersecurity Agency of Singapore)
  • Data Science
  • Government ICT Infrastructure
  • Geospatial Technology (jointly with Singapore Land Authority)
  • Sensors and the Internet of Things (IoT).

Application development and cybersecurity will go hand in hand, because a Smart Nation empowered by apps has to be a safe one for users too.

Their data has to be secure, even as they access digital government services conveniently.

It also develops expertise in data science to unlock insights from increasing amounts of data, as well as strengthen government ICT infrastructure capabilities to effectively deliver digital services to citizens.

At the same time, geospatial technology and sensors and IoT will play a vital role in connecting the dots in the real world, thus enabling more services to be deployed in future.

See also[]

References[]

  • The GovTech website:[1].

Acknowledgements[]

This article was written by Roy Tan.