The majority of public servants in Singapore will be able to access the Internet securely without the need for a separate device starting thanks to a new remote browsing technology solution.

According to the Smart Nation and Digital Government Group (SNDGG), secure Internet Surfing (SIS) will allow public servants to use their work laptops when surfing the Internet for information. To make text-based posts, they will also be able to log in to social media sites, as well as open links directly from e-mails and documents.

A total of 108,000 public servants will move to SIS, with a separate device continuing to be used by some 18,000 who have to handle classified information. The remaining 20,000 are not under Internet surfing separation.

SNDGG said the SIS roll-out, which has been made possible by recent advances in remote browsing technology, will boost public service productivity.

“Different combinations of technologies can now be implemented together to provide multiple layers of security control, and for us to have in place a more advanced and secure system to safeguard government data,” said SNDGG.

Remote browsing technology works by creating an isolated container which handles all Internet content accessed by the user and prevents direct interaction between government systems and malware or viruses lurking on the Internet.

To further reduce the risks of malware infection and data theft, the container can also be configured to philtre out certain types of content deemed unsafe. It will also be possible for SIS public servants to upload files to the Internet, but only for approved websites.

Internet surfing separation was launched in 2016 and rolled out fully across the public service in 2017. SNDGG said that the ISS was implemented because at the time there were no “appropriate mature” solutions or products to enable public servants to securely access the Internet.