Seminar Abstract

National security faces growing challenges from hybrid threats, which combine traditional and unconventional methods deployed by both state and non-state actors to exploit vulnerabilities. These threats exploit the modern world’s interconnectedness, targeting vulnerabilities across multiple domains such as cyberspace, economic security, information ecosystems, and societal cohesion.
The workshop aims to explore the multifaceted nature of hybrid threats and develop actionable countermeasures in various contexts. Policymakers, academics, and industry professionals will be invited to share strategies and case studies to understand the risks and mitigation approaches.

Who Should Attend

Policymakers, academics, and industry professionals who are: (a) concerned about hybrid threats, (b) focused on their sociopolitical implications, and (c) interested in efforts to counter these threats.

Panel 1: Cybersecurity Risks in Critical Infrastructure

• Leon Chang, Assistant CE; Director, Cyber Defence Group and Chief Risk Officer and Director, Chief Risk Office, Synapxe, Singapore
• Murari Kalyanaramani, Chief Information Security Officer, United Overseas Bank, Singapore
• Dr So Jeong Kim, Senior Research Fellow, Institute for National Security Strategy, South Korea
• Jim Boevink, Senior Cybersecurity Project Manager, CyberPeace Institute, Netherlands

Panel 2: Economic Manipulation and Coercion

• Professor Su Qingyi, Head of International Trade Department, Institute of World Economics and Politics, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences
• Maria Monica Wihardja, Visiting Fellow, Regional Economic Studies Programme, Indonesia Studies Programme and Co-coordinator, Media, Technology and Society Programme, Yusof Ishak Institute

Panel 3: The Pitfalls of Algorithmic Recommendations: Privacy Threats and Echo Chambers

• Dr Carlos Diaz Ruiz, Associate Professor, Department of Marketing, Hanken School of Economics, Finland
• Professor Simon Chesterman, Vice Provost (Educational Innovation), David Marshall Professor, National University of Singapore and Senior Director of AI Governance, AI Singapore

Panel 4: Foreign Cultural Influence and Information Operations

• Dr Jiaqi Liu, Assistant Professor of Sociology, Singapore Management University
• Nicholas Fang, Director, Security and Global Affairs, Singapore Institute of International Affairs and Managing Director, Black Dot Pte Ltd