From the latest Business Times article titled: “Businesses should stop using full or partial NRIC numbers for logins, passwords, or identity verification.” the Singapore government has made it clear that it’s time for the private sector to upgrade its data security practices. This advisory serves as a strong reminder that NRIC numbers, while unique, are not private—and relying on them for authentication poses serious risks of data breaches and identity theft.
Why? Because NRICs are unique but not secret. They’re often easy to guess or already known—especially in industries where NRICs are collected regularly. Using them as a form of authentication puts both your company and your customers at risk.
So, what does this mean for your business?
If your current system uses NRIC numbers (or combinations like NRIC + birthdate) to unlock files, sign in users, or reset passwords, it’s time to consider making a change. The government is pushing for stronger and more secure methods—like unique passwords, OTPs, or biometric logins.
This applies to all businesses, and more industry-specific guidelines are expected soon, especially for finance, healthcare, and telco sectors.
How can Arkiva help?
At Arkiva, we’ve always put data protection first. As more businesses move away from insecure practices, we’re here to help make that transition smoother. Here’s how we can support:
- Secure Disposal – We help companies safely destroy physical and digital records that may contain NRICs or other sensitive data.
- IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) – Our team ensures end-of-life laptops, storage devices, and equipment are properly wiped or destroyed, preventing data leaks.
- Document Destruction – From one-time purges to scheduled shredding, we help businesses manage sensitive documents responsibly and securely.
This change might feel like another checkbox—but it’s really about protecting your reputation and the trust of your clients. If you’re unsure where to start, reach out to us. We would be more than happy to help.