KPMG’s Lee Ser Yen explores key technology trends driving business innovation and cybersecurity resilience

He discussed cybersecurity challenges, workforce transformation, and emerging technologies shaping businesses in Singapore.

As technology continues to evolve, businesses must navigate the complexities of innovation, cybersecurity, and workforce transformation to stay competitive.

Lee Ser Yen, Partner, Cyber Advisory at KPMG in Singapore, brings over 25 years of experience in information security, spanning risk and compliance, security architecture design, product development, and solution implementation. He leads the Cyber Transformation services and advises organisations on complex cybersecurity challenges.

He has also led the development of information security products and solutions that meet stringent government and defence standards for data protection and secure communications. His expertise spans technology advisory, cybersecurity, data security and privacy, cryptography, identity and access management, and GRC technology.

As judge for this year’s SBR Technology Excellence Awards, he shared his insights on innovation, cybersecurity challenges, workforce transformation, and the future of technology.

Key drivers of innovation and security

Ser Yen highlighted strong government support, a world-class education system, and a robust digital infrastructure as the key drivers of innovation and security in Singapore’s business environment. He explained that innovation and security are deeply intertwined, stating, “As new technologies emerge, new vulnerabilities arise, requiring innovative security solutions.”

He noted that initiatives like the Smart Nation Program and RIE 2025, along with the investments in AI, blockchain, and cloud infrastructure, have positioned Singapore as a leader in digital transformation. Additionally, world-class education and talent development, high university rankings, and a skilled workforce contribute to the country’s competitive edge.

The startup ecosystem is further bolstered by substantial investments, including venture capital funding. At the same time, the government’s regulatory frameworks, such as the Cybersecurity Act, and nationwide initiatives like the National Digital Identity (NDI) programme, play a crucial role in enhancing trust and security.

Cybersecurity threats and business preparedness

Businesses in Singapore face major cybersecurity threats, including ransomware attacks, insider threats, phishing, social engineering, supply chain vulnerabilities, and cloud security. "Cybercriminals are leveraging AI to automate and enhance their exploit attacks, allowing them to change their tactics faster and making them harder to detect," Ser Yen warned.

To be better prepared, businesses must adopt a holistic cybersecurity strategy that brings together people, processes, and technology. Establishing a cyber-aware culture, implementing robust access controls, and selecting the right security technologies are essential steps. As cyber threats continue to evolve, businesses must remain proactive and continuously adapt their cybersecurity measures.

Future-ready workforce

Ser Yen shared that "businesses need to cultivate a future-ready workforce that is tech-savvy, adaptable, and innovative to stay competitive."

He highlighted that AI and data literacy, cybersecurity awareness, and cloud computing expertise are critical, enabling employees to drive smarter decision-making. Familiarity with cloud-based collaboration tools and emerging technologies like IoT, blockchain, and edge computing is becoming essential for modern business operations.

Adaptability and agility are equally crucial. Employees must have a growth mindset, a willingness to learn and upskill continuously, and the ability to respond quickly to market shifts and technological advancements. Agile teams and cross-functional collaboration are becoming the norm, requiring professionals to work seamlessly across different domains.

"The future of work is hybrid, global, and interdisciplinary," Ser Yen noted. Effective remote collaboration, cross-cultural communication, and interdisciplinary thinking are essential for success.

Aligning innovation with customer needs

Understanding customer needs is essential, requiring customer research, data analytics, journey mapping, and social listening and feedback loops. “Identify touchpoints where customers interact with your business and optimise them for seamless experiences,” Ser Yen explained.

Ser Yen also highlighted that AI-driven personalisation enables businesses to tailor products, services, and marketing messages to individual preferences, whilst an omnichannel approach ensures seamless experiences across digital and physical touchpoints.

Investing in customer experience and support further strengthens relationships. Businesses can enhance customer engagement through AI chatbots, self-service portals, and proactive customer service strategies.

Ser Yen noted, “Reward loyal customers and build long-term relationships through personalised incentives,” highlighting the role of loyalty programmes and community engagement initiatives.

Emerging industry innovations

Looking at broader industry trends, Ser Yen highlighted AI, quantum computing, biotech, and health tech as transformative forces. “AI is a significant driver for Singapore's Smart Nation vision, enhancing areas like public services, transportation, and healthcare,” he said.

On quantum computing, he remarked, “It will supercharge processing power and accelerate problem-solving in finance, logistics, and drug discovery.” He also noted its role in breakthroughs for energy, climate modelling, and security through quantum cryptography.

Biotech and health tech are also advancing rapidly. Ser Yen also emphasised that AI-powered drug discovery is accelerating treatments and vaccines, whilst wearable health tech enables real-time monitoring. He added that gene editing and personalised medicine are driving customised treatments, significantly improving patient outcomes.

As a judge at the SBR Technology Excellence Awards 2025, Ser Yen is keen to identify companies, technologies, and solutions that are innovative, practical, and deliver business impact. He believed that true innovation pushes boundaries, challenges conventional thinking, and pioneers new approaches. Innovation must also be purposeful—solving real-world problems and delivering value to users, stakeholders, and society at large. Furthermore, he emphasised the importance of positive business impact, where innovation should create lasting economic value.