Safeguarding Elections Amid Growing Cyberthreats and Disinformation

As Singapore’s General Elections loom, the stakes are higher than ever—not just politically, but digitally. In an era where technology fuels both progress and peril, public trust in the electoral process hinges on our ability to defend against a new generation of cyber threats and disinformation.

The recent Indian General Elections offered a preview of what’s to come. Political parties deployed AI-generated deepfake videos to amplify their reach—highlighting a troubling new frontier in electioneering. Singapore, as one of the most digitally connected economies in the world, must now confront the same dilemma: how to draw the line between innovation and manipulation in the digital age.

AI-Driven Disinformation: A Crisis of Trust

Artificial intelligence has revolutionised communication—but it has also lowered the barrier for creating persuasive falsehoods. According to the Sumsub Identity Fraud Report 2024, Singapore experienced a staggering 240% rise in deepfake attacks, ranking second in Asia-Pacific alongside Cambodia. From altered interviews of former Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to the artificial “resurrection” of Indonesia’s Suharto, we’ve entered an era where seeing is no longer believing.

To its credit, Singapore has acted swiftly—banning political deepfakes in October 2024. But legislative guardrails are only part of the solution. The broader battlefield now includes cyberattacks on electoral infrastructure—attacks that can sabotage confidence in results without ever breaching a single vote.

Technology Is a Double-Edged Sword

Digital transformation has been Singapore’s strength—but in the realm of cybersecurity, it also creates more exposure. Election interference no longer requires physical tampering. Cybercriminals now have AI-powered disinformation campaigns and infrastructure exploits at their disposal, blurring the line between perception and reality.

Disinformation confuses the public. Infrastructure attacks disrupt operations. The result is the same: doubt. And in a democracy, doubt is corrosive.

Building Resilience: Zero Trust Meets AI

So how can Singapore safeguard its elections against this dual threat?

A Zero Trust security framework is a strong starting point. It assumes no user or device is inherently trustworthy—requiring continuous verification based on identity, behavioural patterns, and device integrity. Applied to election systems, it ensures that sensitive data is shielded from internal misconfigurations and external breaches.

But defence must also be proactive. AI, often seen as the problem, can in fact be part of the solution. AI-powered analytics can detect anomalies in real-time—such as abnormal traffic targeting electoral systems—before these anomalies escalate into full-scale disruptions. Meanwhile, machine learning models can identify coordinated disinformation campaigns and flag manipulative content before it spreads.

The key is integration: combining Zero Trust principles with AI-driven detection to build an agile, adaptive cyber defence posture.

Strengthening Confidence in the Democratic Process

Ultimately, elections are about more than ballots—they’re about belief. Citizens, businesses, and international observers must trust that the process is secure and the outcome legitimate.

Singapore is well-positioned to lead. Its close public-private partnerships and proximity to global cybersecurity expertise offer a unique advantage in setting new global benchmarks for election integrity.

As the country prepares for its next national vote, the challenge is clear—but so is the opportunity. By embracing a security-first mindset, Singapore can not only protect its own democracy, but offer a playbook for others navigating the digital complexities of modern elections.

This op-ed is contributed by Sanjay Yadave, Vice President & Managing Director, Greater Asia, Zscaler.