Oracle to provide cloud computing, AI services to Singapore military

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Oracle said on Wednesday it would provide Singapore’s defense technology arm with "isolated" cloud computing and AI services, in the company’s first such deal in Southeast Asia.

 

Southeast Asian governments are frequent targets of cyber espionage campaigns and are facing escalating supply chain attacks, according to security researchers.  

 

Under the deal, the U.S firm will provide Singapore’s armed forces and defense ministry with an "air-gapped" isolated cloud computing infrastructure - meaning that it will be cut off from the internet and connected instead to classified networks via encrypted devices.

 

"We’re bringing our generative AI tools across the air gaps and into those isolated environments ," said Oracle Global Defense Chief Technology Officer Rand Waldron.

 

He highlighted the technology includes AI data and imagery capabilities, including the ability for the AI to analyze video streams for faces, licenses, or details of cars.

 

Oracle declined to comment on the size of the deal.

 

Oracle has ramped up activities in Southeast Asia. It announced it planned to invest more than $6.5 billion to set up a cloud region in Malaysia in October.

 

 (Editing by Kim Coghill)