Non-cyber professionals get foundational training in cyber security at new Singapore centre
(Photo credit: MDDI)
Source: The Straits Times
Engineers aspiring to gain experience in the cyber-security sector can look forward to an introductory Internet of Things (IoT) course tailored to members of The Institution of Engineers, Singapore (IES).
Over the two-day course, participants will learn how to safeguard internet-enabled home appliances, devices and networks using device authentication, encryption protocols and vulnerability management.
The course is a joint initiative between the new CyberSG Talent, Innovation and Growth (TIG) Collaboration Centre, the IES, and Temasek Polytechnic.
It is one of the many activities rolled out by the CyberSG TIG Collaboration Centre, officially launched on July 15, to nurture potential talent in the cyber-security sector.
“This is critical as we look to increase the talent pipeline, and professionalise the workforce through establishment of standards and equip non-cyber professionals with foundational cyber knowledge,” said Senior Minister of State for Digital Development and Information Janil Puthucheary at the centre’s opening.
Jointly opened by the National University of Singapore (NUS) and the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA), the CyberSG TIG Collaboration Centre aims to establish Singapore as a global cyber-security innovation hub, fostering economic growth and addressing the increasing demand for robust cyber-security solutions.
The cyber workforce has grown rapidly, from 4,000 in 2016 to 12,000 in 2022. To attract more talent, the CyberSG TIG Collaboration Centre is backed by $20 million in funding from the Government and NUS, which will provide for the centre’s activities over the next two years.
Currently, Singapore’s academic institutions offer more than 20 cyber-related tertiary-level courses. The IoT course aims to provide foundational cyber-security training to non-cyber-security professionals.
(From left) Chief executive of CSA David Koh, Senior Minister of State for Digital Development and Information Janil Puthucheary, NUS president Tan Eng Chye, and NUS Associate Professor Benjamin Tee at the official opening of CyberSG TIG Collaboration Centre. (Photo credit: MDDI)
Recently, around 250 secondary school students took part in Youth Cyber Exploration Programme boot camps, organised by the centre to attract students to consider cyber security as a career. Students were taught the very basics of cyber security, such as how to build a firewall, to pique their interest in the field.
To better support cyber-security companies, the centre is also launching the CyberBoost Catalyse programme, in collaboration with British-based innovation company Plexal.
Participating companies will have access to workshops and mentoring, for help in developing their growth strategies and securing investment opportunities.
NUS signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Plexal on July 15.
It has also signed an MOU with local investor SGInnovate to support early-stage start-ups with capital and talent.
“Working closely together ensures that both our early-stage cyber-security start-ups and promising talent will be able to access resources and opportunities across the emerging tech ecosystem, at every stage of their development,” said SGInnovate executive director of investments Tong Hsien-Hui.
Under the CyberSG TIG plan, a call for innovative cyber-security solutions is also held bi-annually. Run by NUS and CSA since 2021, selected solutions receive funding of up to $1 million from the CSA’s Cybersecurity Co-Innovation and Development Fund.
The Cybersecurity Industry Call for Innovation scheme has supported more than 30 companies to develop over 30 solutions in areas such as cloud security, artificial intelligence for cyber security and privacy-enhancing technologies.