NUS, CSA launch new centre for cybersecurity innovation, talent development

On Monday, the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) and the National University of Singapore (NUS) launched a centre that aims to uplift talent, innovation, and growth programmes in cybersecurity.

The CyberSG Talent, Innovation, and Growth (TIG) Collaboration Centre was opened by Dr Janil Puthucheary, Senior Minister of State for Digital Development and Information.

At the same event, NUS also forged strategic partnerships through Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) with SGInnovate and Plexal to drive innovation and growth in Singapore’s cybersecurity ecosystem. This MOU will enhance the centre’s effectiveness and reach.

First unveiled in September 2023, the centre is a joint initiative backed by S$20 million in funding from the government and NUS. According to a press statement, this strategic partnership aims to establish Singapore as the premier global cybersecurity innovation hub, fostering economic growth and addressing the increasing demand for robust cybersecurity solutions.

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Located at LaunchPad @ one-north, the centre will serve as a central nexus, bringing government, academia, and industry together to catalyse impactful initiatives in the cybersecurity sector and leverage opportunities posed by digitalisation. It will also build upon NUS Enterprise’s extensive global BLOCK71 network and innovation infrastructure, providing cybersecurity talents and companies with access to resources and opportunities for growth.

“We are excited to mark the official opening of the CyberSG TIG Collaboration Centre. NUS Enterprise is committed to continue pushing the boundaries of innovation and entrepreneurship to develop a thriving cybersecurity innovation ecosystem from Singapore,” said Associate Professor Benjamin Tee, Vice President (Ecosystem Building), NUS.

“This centre will synergise and leverage the combined expertise and resources of academia, industry, government, local and international industry partners. Our partnerships with Plexal and SGInnovate are a step forward to further support promising startups that drive global innovation and business opportunities towards a more secure digital future in Singapore and beyond.”

The centre’s strategic initiatives are structured around three core pillars:

Talent
The centre aims to cultivate a diverse talent pool equipped with the skills to apply cybersecurity capabilities across various industries and functions. Simultaneously, it trains a critical mass of professionals with advanced cybersecurity expertise. Core programmes include SG Cyber Associates, SG Cyber Youth, SG Cyber Professionals, and SG Cyber Talent Development Fund.

Innovation
The centre seeks to drive co-innovation with industry to bridge the path from innovation to commercialisation, nurturing promising cybersecurity companies for Singapore and the region. This will be through core programmes Cybersecurity Industry Call for Innovation (CyberCall) and CyberBoost.

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Growth
Lastly, the centre aims to enable cybersecurity companies anchored in Singapore to scale regionally and globally. The core programme, CyberGrowth, is a dedicated cybersecurity-focused export programme that facilitates the expansion of promising cybersecurity companies and leverages NUS’ BLOCK71 incubation hubs in Southeast Asia, East Asia, and the US.

“We are thrilled to mark this important milestone of the opening of the CyberSG TIG Collaboration Centre, which brings some of our talent and ecosystem development efforts under one roof. Our partners, whether they are government entities, industry, or academia, all have a key role to play in this effort. We look forward to the continued support of our stakeholders in this journey to establish Singapore at the forefront of cybersecurity innovation,” said Phua Puay Li, Assistant Chief Executive (Policy and Corporate Development) Assistant Chief Executive, CSA.

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Image Credit: NUS Entreprise

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