NUS and Singtel launch cybersecurity lab

NUS and Singtel launch cybersecurity lab
By Kimberly Spykerman Posted 24 Oct 2016 11:43 Updated 25 Oct 2016 00:15

SINGAPORE: The National University of Singapore (NUS) and Singtel on Monday (Oct 24) launched their joint cybersecurity laboratory aimed at protecting consumers against security breaches, data leaks and other online attacks.

Over the next five years, S$43 million from NUS, Singtel, and the National Research Foundation (NRF) will be pumped into the lab. "Such public-private R&D collaboration aligns public research to industry needs, and accelerates innovations to market," said Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, who is also NRF's Chairman, at the launch event.

The new laboratory will focus on areas such as network, data and cloud computing security, among others.

Singtel CEO of Group Enterprise Bill Chang pointed out that many enterprises are constantly challenged by the increasingly sophisticated nature of cyber threats, and the new lab will allow them to develop and bring to market cybersecurity offerings more quickly to help these companies.

"What really differentiates this lab from other initiatives is the fact that we have an industrial partner,” said director of NUS-Singtel Cyber Security Research and Development Lab professor David Rosenblum. “So, they have very significant business problems that are related to cybersecurity, and the researchers at NUS are going to be exposed to these business problems.”

The lab will also increase Singapore's pool of cybersecurity professionals and raise their game, hosting 100 researchers and training 120 new cybersecurity professionals over the next five years.

"This will develop a strong talent pool critical to Singapore. The training will equip them with deep expertise in this growing area, and prepare them for employment opportunities, not just with Singtel, but also in the public sector and other companies," said Mr Teo.

The national cybersecurity strategy, which was announced by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong earlier this month, aims to boost the cybersecurity profession. This includes instituting clear career pathways, promoting certification, and working with the industry and institutes of higher learning to attract new graduates and convert existing professionals from related fields.

Singtel said it does not rule out collaborating with the other telcos in research and capability building, or in making the solutions commercially available to them.

- CNA/kk


- wong chee tat :)