S U S T A I N A B I L I T Y R E P O R T
Data Security for Tenant Privacy
ThePropertyManager strives tobea trustworthypartner committed
to A-REIT’s tenants. It ensures the responsible use and protection
of tenant data through its comprehensive information security
system which complies with prevailing laws and regulations. These
policies and procedures undergo regular review to keep pace with
evolving threats and vulnerabilities. In FY14/15, the Personal Data
Protection Act (“PDPA”) came into effect in Singapore. Under the
new legislation, all telephone numbers in Singapore will have to
be checked against the Do Not Call (“DNC”) Registry before any
marketing communications may be made. With that, the Property
Manager appointed a Data Protection Officer to implement the
DNC Registry Checking system.
During the same year, the Property Manager adopted the
Ascendas Integrated Technology Risk Framework (“ITRF”) and
Bring Your Own Device (“BYOD”) Directive. The ITRF facilitates the
structured assessments of technology risks in areas such as change
management, and network and application security. The BYOD
Directive sets out the rules for usage of personally owned smart-
phones, tablets and portable storage drives by employees to access
corporate resources. This includes registering such devices with the
Ascendas Group IT prior to connecting to the corporate network. If
sensitive or confidential data is stored in these devices, the devices
will have to be encrypted. Figure 5 provides an overview of the
current information security system, policies and procedures.
Figure 5: Overview of Information Security System,
Policies and Procedures
Policies
1. Ascendas Information Security Policy
2. Ascendas Integrated Technology Risk Framework
3. Bring Your Own Device Directive
Systems
1. Microsoft Active
Directory – Provides
strong authentication and
security functionalities
2. Websense Data Loss
Prevention – Secures
personal data and protects
intellectual property
3. Citrix Mobile Device
Management – Secures and
support mobile devices use
4. PDPA System of DNC
Registry Check
5. Regular System
Maintenance
6. Incident Response Plan
Specific Actions
1. Regular communication
to employees on the
corporate standard use of
encryption and PDPA
2. Annual Information
Security Training &
Awareness programme for
employees in China
3. Regular Information
Security reports and
meetings to track and
raise any security related
issues
As a result of these measures, there have been no cases of security
breaches in relation to customer privacy in this reporting year.
ENVIRONMENT
Table 5: Targets and Results in Environmental Performance
Targets
Performance
Reduction in energy intensity of 5% in
Singapore for FY14/15
Achieved
Minimum BCA Green Mark Gold
Plus
for
new properties in Singapore
Achieved
The Sustainable Singapore Blueprint 2015 sets out the national
goal of attaining an improvement of 35% energy intensity in
2030, as compared to 2005 levels. The Manager is committed to
support this cause. By setting a target of achieving a reduction
in energy intensity by 5% for FY14/15 and 3% for FY15/16, the
Manager continuously seeks out opportunities for optimising
energy use, while reaping economic benefits.
Each A-REIT property, starting from the design to the
operating performance stage, undergoes deliberate planning
and evaluation to assess environmental impacts. For all new
projects in Singapore, A-REIT has set a goal of achieving at
least the BCA’s Green Mark
1
Gold
Plus
Rating, or equivalent. For
existing buildings, the Manager will aim to achieve a minimum
Green Mark Certification with appropriate asset enhancement
works. Green Mark certified buildings add value by maximising
both the economic and environmental performance. Table 6
lists out the Green Mark certifications attained by A-REIT’s
properties in 2014.
Table 6: BCA Green Mark Awards (2014)
Year
Green Mark Platinum Green Mark Gold
2014
• Aperia
• DBS Asia Hub
• 138 Depot Road
2
A-REIT’s portfolio comprises 78.1% multi-tenant properties,
with the remaining 21.9% being single tenant properties as
at 31 March 2015. Environmental performances are reported
for properties that are under A-REIT’s operational control. This
includes on-site offices and common areas in multi-tenant
properties such as corridors, perimeter lighting and centralised
building facilities. For single-tenant arrangements, the tenant
typically assumes full operational and building management
of the property, including its environmental performance.
Sub-meters are used to separately account for the energy and
water consumed by the landlord and the tenants.
1 This link to BCA provides details of the various BCA building certifications:
2 Improved from Green Mark Certified following recertification in 2014.
ASCENDAS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST ANNUAL REPORT 2014/15
