Singapore Security Industry Awards 2024 – Speech by Ms Sun Xueling, Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Social and Family Development

Mr Raj Joshua Thomas, President, Security Association Singapore (SAS),

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

1. Good evening. It is an honour to be invited by SAS to the Singapore Security Industry Awards Ceremony again. We come together to celebrate the achievements of our partners and friends in the security industry.

2. The Ministry of Home Affairs refreshed the Security Industry Transformation Map in 2022. Thanks to the strong support of our industry partners, we have seen good progress in our transformation journey.

3. This award ceremony is the perfect opportunity for us to recognise their outstanding efforts. This year, we have 148 award recipients, across 22 award categories. All of these award recipients have embraced transformation, and are paving the way as role models for the rest of the industry.

Technology Adoption

4. We have all seen how the adoption and integration of technology into security operations can increase efficiency and productivity. By reducing the need for manual and repetitive work through automation, security officers are better able to focus on more critical security duties..

5. I will mention a few of our deserving awardees tonight. First up, is Certis CISCO Security. They are one of the trailblazers in using advanced technology such as artificial intelligence, data analytics, and smart surveillance systems, to provide integrated security and facilities management services. This has proved useful to streamline operations, and enable timely incident response, especially at large premises such as Jewel Changi Airport and JTC Corporation’s South-West precincts. My congratulations to Certis for being one of the award recipients for best security agencies in the Commercial category tonight.

6. Apart from those who are looking after our large commercial operations, we also have to look at those who are taking care of residential premises as well. Another award winner tonight, Interlock Security & Investigation Services, has successfully deployed comprehensive and integrated security solutions at residential premises. The interfaces of their security systems are user-friendly, so that residents and building managers at the condominium site are able to operate these systems with ease. For their efforts, Interlock is one of the award recipients for best security agencies in the Residential category.

7. For those who are looking to follow Interlock’s example, a good starting point would be to refer to the refreshed Security Industry Digital Plan (IDP) 2.0, which was jointly developed by IMDA and MHA, in consultation with the industry. The refreshed Security IDP 2.0 has an updated digital solutions roadmap that security agencies can adopt. There are also new solutions available, such as integrated security management, to streamline services and enhance productivity. The Security IDP 2.0 also has a cybersecurity and data protection roadmap. In addition, there are various grants and schemes, such as the Advanced Digital Solutions initiative and the Productivity Solutions Grant, to help security agencies adopt more digital solutions into their operations.

8. We should also celebrate our service buyers. For example, Toll Group, a logistics company, has incorporated smart building systems that integrate security and facilities management. My congratulations to Toll Group for being one of the award recipients for the Security Buyer of the Year award tonight.

Job Redesign and Upskilling

9. Even as we adopt new and advanced technology, it is important to ensure our security officers continue to be adequately trained. In tandem with the awards by SAS tonight, I am happy to share that Workforce Singapore (WSG) will also be presenting its inaugural Workforce Transformation Award to two deserving security agencies. They are Henderson Security Services and Securite Associates. These agencies have been working closely with WSG on workforce transformation.

10. Our exemplary security agencies and service buyers award winners provide a much-needed inspiration and encouragement to the rest of the industry. I am sure that together we can raise the security industry to a new level.

Conclusion

11. In closing, I would like to thank all our stakeholders for working with us on this transformation journey, especially the industry associations and our union.

12. I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate former Deputy Secretary of MHA, Mr Puah Kok Keong; and former President of Security Solutions Association of Singapore, Mr Nelson Tee; for your efforts in developing the industry. They will be receiving the SAS Award for Outstanding Contribution to the security industry.

13. Thank you everyone, and I hope you have a wonderful evening.