This agreement will help advance Singapore’s digital innovation, safety, and security goals
SINGAPORE – 10 February 2022 – HTX (Home Team Science and Technology Agency) and Microsoft today announced a strategic agreement to develop a sovereign cloud to accelerate digital transformation and innovation for HTX, and address emerging technology needs across Singapore’s Home Team Departments. The agreement will also introduce new skilling, job development and training initiatives.
The agreement will play a key role in the Home Team’s digital transformation and will enable the Home Team to deliver improved safety and security to all citizens, residents, and visitors to Singapore. Built on Microsoft’s Azure platform, this sovereign cloud will equip HTX with on-demand, high performance cloud computing and data storage resources. It will enable HTX to quickly adopt and create new technologies and solutions, significantly reduce time-to-market in introducing new digital capabilities, and quickly scale up capacity to meet future needs. High system resiliency and availability will ensure that Home Team’s operations continue 24×7 with minimal interruption. Coupled with high-speed network connectivity and advanced analytics, the sovereign cloud capability will provide Home Team officers on the ground with real time data to enable swifter incident response and decision-making.
As part of the agreement, Microsoft will provide additional training and educational opportunities, including 600 training seats along with exam certificates that will be made available annually to HTX. This training will advance the technical skills of cloud technology professionals in Singapore.
“This strategic partnership with Microsoft to develop a Sovereign Cloud here in Singapore will enable us to push the boundaries of innovation and be in the forefront of technology,” said Mr. Chan Tsan, CEO of HTX, who is concurrently the Deputy Secretary (Development) of Ministry of Home Affairs. “This way, we will be well-poised to exponentially enhance the capabilities of the Home Team and to keep Singapore as the safest place on the planet.”
“We’re delivering a trusted sovereign cloud that adheres to and meets the needs of the Singapore government – one that will expedite their digital transformation efforts,” said Judson Althoff, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, Microsoft. “Our agreement will enable key technological advancements and provide access to data and insights to help drive change across various communities.”
About HTX
HTX is the world’s first Science and Technology agency that integrates a diverse range of scientific and engineering capabilities to innovate and deliver transformative and operationally ready solutions for homeland security. As a statutory board of the Ministry of Home Affairs and integral to the Home Team, HTX works at the forefront of science and technology to empower Singapore’s frontline of security. Our shared mission is to amplify, augment and accelerate the Home Team’s advantage and secure Singapore as the safest place on planet earth.
About Microsoft
Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT” @microsoft) enables digital transformation for the era of an intelligent cloud and an intelligent edge. Its mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.