Singtel engages aspiring cyber security talents with cyber education platform

By Digital News Asia July 11, 2017

Cyber education portal to engage students and mid-career professionals
Singtel ties-up with all five local polytechnics and the ITE to make CSX available

Singtel engages aspiring cyber security talents with cyber education platform

SINGTEL announces an initiative to further strengthen Singapore’s cyber security talent pipeline with the launch of Singtel Cyber Security Experience or CSX (www.singtelcyberexperience.com), an interactive cyber education portal to engage students and mid-career professionals who aspire to be cyber security professionals.

The CSX raises awareness of cyber-related careers by profiling real-life cyber security professionals and mentors from Singtel and its US-based managed security services subsidiary, Trustwave, as well as the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA).

Visitors to the portal can explore various career paths in cyber security and experience a day in the life of a cyber security professional through interactive, virtual cyber scenarios to understand the hard and soft skills needed for various roles.

Visitors can also test their skills by taking part in cyber challenges that focus on basic cyber security terms, concepts and operational principles.

Those who fare well will be invited to the Singtel Cyber Security Institute (CSI) to hone their skills in cyber war game sessions which will allow them to understand cyber attack and defence approaches. They will also meet cyber security professionals or mentors to learn more about their roles.

“The CSX initiative helps address the cyber security talent gap in Singapore by using an interactive platform to engage aspiring cyber security professionals of all ages,” said Singtel Group Enterprise chief executive officer Bill Chang.

“This self-guided platform is designed to introduce them to various cyber security roles and kindle their interest in a career in this fast-growing field.”

The launch of CSX dovetails with the Government’s strategic focus to develop cyber security capabilities in Singapore. The Committee on the Future Economy Report recommended that Singapore builds advanced cyber security capabilities to accelerate high-growth industries and core competencies that support the digitalisation of other industries.

In support of this initiative, CSA chief executive David Koh said, “CSA is pleased to collaborate with Singtel on this exciting platform to reach out to aspiring cyber security professionals. This is an innovative way to generate interest in cyber security as a career and attract enthusiastic individuals into the profession. The CSX will augment our efforts to grow our talent pool and develop a vibrant cyber security ecosystem in Singapore.”

Globally, the demand for cyber security professionals outstrips supply. Frost and Sullivan forecasts the shortage of cyber security talents worldwide is expected to hit 1.5 million by 2020.

With Singapore aiming to be a smart nation, the very small number of cyber security professionals here is a concern. The CSA expects the demand for cyber security professionals in Singapore to reach 9,700 by 2021.

Singtel has tied-up with all five local polytechnics and the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) to make CSX available as an additional tool in their efforts to raise awareness of cyber security. A series of trials of CSX were conducted with selected educational institutions.

To-date, close to 1,000 students have participated in these trials. The CSX also helps teachers pick up the fundamentals of cyber security at no cost in a six-hour Cyber Teacher Programme learning module.

The CSX bolsters Singtel CSI’s partnership with the SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) to develop cyber security capabilities of mid-career professionals, who can access the portal to expand their career options in cyber security.

“Our partnerships with the educational institutions and SSG allow us to cast a wider net to bring in suitable candidates who can form the frontline of Singapore’s cyber defence,” Chang added.

The CSX adds to Singtel’s initiatives to build a sustainable cyber security talent pool in Singapore. These include the Singtel Cadet Scholarship for polytechnic students and the Cyber Security Associates and Technologists programme for fresh graduates and mid-career professionals.

Singtel also partners the Singapore Institute of Technology to offer work-study programmes and trains new undergraduate to postdoctoral level cyber security professionals at the NUS – Singtel Cyber Security Research and Development Laboratory.