Big Data Analytics: Best Practices from Singapore in the Context of Sri Lanka’s Digital Defence Requirements

Abstract

The information age has resulted in massive amounts of data being shared online and data being created over multiple platforms including smart devices. Such amounts of data create big data that can be used to understand usage patterns and internet behaviour. Many companies and countries collate such information to provide a better service to its customers or to guard its citizens. It is especially important for governments to collate, utilize, and analyse such big data to protect its borders. Analysing the chatter on the cyber space can help avert terror attacks and safeguard citizens from unscrupulous people. Sri Lankan defence has traditionally left the cyber domain vulnerable although maintaining extremely efficient protection mechanisms for traditional boundaries. It has faced many cyber threats over the past few decades. Thus, it is imperative that the country invest heavily in technology and big data. Singapore has consistently proven itself to be capable of safeguarding its borders and economy through use of technology and continues to innovate and invest in technology such as AI and big data. This paper provides a practical model for use by the Sri Lankan government based on best practices from Singapore that will help the island nation increase its security for its virtual borders. This will help it stave off security threats and economic threats.