Simulated power outages, phishing attacks to be conducted as part of Total Defence exercise
//Story by Chia Chong Jin /Photos by Kenneth Lin
In this year’s Exercise SG Ready, the focus is on power disruptions caused by cyber threats, challenging Singaporeans to be resilient and prepared in an increasingly digital world.
Following its success last year, Exercise SG Ready (ESR) 2025 – a Total Defence (TD) initiative returning from 15 to 28 Feb for its second edition – will be once again be testing the preparedness of Singaporeans during an emergency.
Co-led by MINDEF and the Energy Market Authority (EMA), this year’s exercise focuses on power-related disruptions and cyber threats. It aims to encourage Singaporeans to plan and respond effectively in such scenarios, as well as contribute to national resilience.
More than 800 organisations – including businesses, community groups, schools and government agencies – will be participating in this exercise, focusing on strengthening business continuity plans to address potential power disruptions and cyber threats.
One of the key highlights of ESR 2025 is the simulation of power disruptions across more than 20 buildings, including the Supreme Court, SMU, National Heritage Board museums and Millenia Tower.
This simulation will test response protocols and ensure that organisations are able to effectively manage and mitigate the impact of any unexpected power outages.
Additionally, City Hall MRT station and Hume MRT station conduct power outage drills outside operational hours to assess the efficiency of evacuation procedures of staff and train passengers (simulated by community participants), to ensure that they are well-prepared for such scenarios.
“Events around the world have reminded us that disruptions are possible and can happen to us here in Singapore,” said Brigadier General (BG) Frederick Choo, MINDEF’s Deputy Secretary (Policy), in an interview with media on 24 Jan.
“We aim to put Total Defence into action and strengthen Singaporeans’ resilience and responses in times of emergency.”
In collaboration with the Singapore Business Federation, MINDEF will also be conducting phishing simulations for 200 businesses to enhance their cybersecurity readiness.
This initiative aims to educate business on recognising and responding to phishing threats, providing participating companies not only valuable insights of their vulnerabilities but also practical measures to strengthen their cyber defence.
In line with ESR 2025’s power disruption scenarios, schools across Singapore will take part in this year’s exercise by engaging students in educational activities that emphasise resilience and preparedness.
For example, they can conduct simulated exercises such as power supply disruptions, or food or water disruptions which result from a prolonged power outage. The Singapore Food Agency and SATS will distribute ready-to-eat meals to secondary schools and pre-universities that take part in the food disruption exercise.
Speaking to media, Mr Yeo Lai Hin, Senior Director of EMA's Land and Security Department, noted that “EMA and SP Group have put in place a robust infrastructure and various measures to maintain its stability and reliability, but we should not take this for granted as a power outage can happen at any time”.
He added: “It is therefore important for individuals and households to be prepared to deal with a power outage, and it is also important for organisations to have in place a business continuity plan to ensure that their business can continue to function.”
The Singapore Civil Defence Force will also be conducting a lift rescue demonstration, showcasing emergency response techniques during a power outage scenario, on 15 Feb during the Total Defence Day Commemorative Event.
Another key component of this year’s exercise is the inclusion of table-top exercises (TTX) for businesses and community organisations. Nexus and MINDEF will be rolling out two self-facilitated ESR TTX packages to help organisations and businesses review their business continuity plans through the ESR 2025 Scenario Video (go.gov.sg/sgreadyvideo)
Members of public can visit the SGReadyGoWhere website for details on the locations and dates of the various exercise activities, as well as resources for preparedness activities.
