It’s important that the payment files you share with DBS are protected against unauthorised access. The DBS ICE encryption software, allows you to encrypt files before sending them to DBS.
DBS ICE encryption software uses encryption keys to encrypt and decrypt files. For the safety and security of your information, the DBS Bank Public key needs to be updated every three years. If not, it will expire. You will not be able to upload and submit files on our business banking platform IDEAL or host-to-host solution IDEAL Connect. You need to update before 17 November 2025.
- On your desktop, go to the folder that contains the existing ICE software. Make a copy of it and rename it ‘ICE backup’. You may delete it after the current DBS Bank Public key expires in November 2025.
- Copy the new DBS Bank Public key DBS2025.pub that you downloaded.
- Go to the existing ICE folder > Keys. Paste the new DBS Bank Public key in this folder.
In the existing ICE folder, select the file IDEALConnect-gui.exe. Select Enter to launch the app.
Go to the menu at the top and select Options. Select Import DBS Bank Public Key.
Select Browse. Go to the folder keys > DBS2025.pub. Then select Import.
To confirm that you want to import the file, select ‘Yes’.
Once successful, select OK.
You will see that the .keystore file will have an updated date-time stamp.
If you’re using Command Prompt or Command Line1. At the command prompt or command line, go to the folder that contains the existing ICE software on your desktop or server.
2. To import the new DBS Bank Public key, execute command: IDEALConnect –importpubkey <path of new bank key>.
Example of how the command may look like:
Windows OS: IDEALConnect --importpubkey keys\DBS2025.pub
UNIX OS: ./IDEALConnect --importpubkey keys/DBS2025.pub -
Once successful, a message “DBS Bank public key imported successfully” will appear.
Go to Settings > Profile Summary > Encrypt and Decrypt > [Read-Only] Decrypt to verify the new Bank Key has been imported into the keystore. The new Bank key Expiry Date is 20 Aug 2028, 12am (GMT +8).
You will see that the new DBS Bank Public key expiry date has been updated.
| Where can the new Bank Public Key be obtained? | |
| The new DBS Bank key and step by step guide can be downloaded from DBS IDEAL Resource Center. They are indicated as DBS ICE Bank Key Renewal 2025.
|
| What is the new DBS Bank key validity period? | |
| DBS New Bank Key is effective from 8 Sep 2025 till 10 Sep 2028. |
| How do I know if I need to import the new DBS Bank Key onto my computer? | |
| From our records, we noticed your company has been enabled for ICE encryption. If you upload and/or download encrypted payment files, we suggest you import the new bank key onto your computer or server. If you have a centralised IT team, please reach out to them for assistance. Otherwise, follow the guide provided to import the new key. |
| We have several installations of ICE. Where should we import the bank key? | |
| The new Bank key must be updated for all installations of ICE. If you have more than one desktop/server in your organisation with ICE application installed, kindly ensure the new Bank key is imported to all these machines. |
| How do I check the location of the ICE software? | |
| DBS does not have access to where clients store their ICE encryption software. Clients may use various encryption methods, manually encrypt by user or automatically encrypt through a script. It is recommended that the client consult the user who encrypts the file manually, or their internal technology team who manages the Encryption and host-to-host (H2H) connection with DBS. |
| Post the key renewal, how do I check if I have successfully uploaded and/or downloaded encrypted files? | |
| If files uploaded into or downloaded from DBS IDEAL are encrypted, the file extension will end in .enc (e.g. TESTING.csv.enc). |
| How long does it take to conduct the key renewal exercise? | |
| About 15min - 30min for each ICE renewal per desktop/server. |
| Do I need to specify which Bank key to use for encryption/decryption? | |
| No. After you have imported the New Bank key, you can perform file encryption/decryption as per your current process. The ICE application will automatically use the new Bank key for file decryption once it is effective on 8 Sep 2025, or for file encryption on 17 Nov 2025. |
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