NUS and CSA to launch $20M cybersecurity centre to drive talent, innovation, growth in S’pore

In response to the escalating demand for robust cybersecurity solutions, the National University of Singapore (NUS) and the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) have announced their partnership to establish the NUS-CSA CyberSG Talent, Innovation, and Growth (TIG) Collaboration Centre, backed by a substantial S$20 million investment.

The joint initiative, unveiled at the Cybersecurity Industry Innovation Day last Friday (September 29), has set ambitious goals of solidifying Singapore’s position as the global epicentre for cybersecurity innovation and catalysing economic growth in the sector.

In today’s interconnected digital landscape, the need for sophisticated and dependable cybersecurity solutions has reached unprecedented levels.

With Southeast Asia’s digital economy projected to reach US$1 trillion by 2030 and the rise of internet users in the region, a robust cybersecurity industry is considered critical to safeguarding Singapore’s digital future and strengthening its resilience against recent scams and cybercrimes.

The CyberSG TIG Collaboration Centre aims to bolster Singapore’s reputation as a trusted digital hub and promote cybersecurity as a burgeoning economic driver for the nation.

Three key pillars of the new centre

The centre’s strategic initiatives are structured around three core pillars: talent, innovation, and growth.

It focuses on nurturing a pipeline of skilled cybersecurity professionals and expanding cybersecurity capabilities across various industry sectors. NUS will collaborate closely with CSA to develop and deliver impactful programs, including SG Cyber Youth, to ensure that talent development remains aligned with the evolving cybersecurity landscape.

Co-innovation with industry players and nurturing promising cybersecurity startups are also the core components of this pillar. Initiatives like the annual Cybersecurity Industry Call for Innovation (CyberCall) will invite companies to co-develop innovative solutions for critical cybersecurity challenges.

NUS will also introduce the CyberBoost program, tailored to support the growth of cybersecurity companies at different stages of development.

Lastly, it aims to facilitate the international expansion of local cybersecurity companies by providing valuable insights, organising business missions, and creating playbooks to help them navigate global markets.

Professor Tan Eng Chye, President of NUS, emphasised the importance of cybersecurity as a key driver for economic growth and resilience, saying, “Our collaboration with CSA to set up the NUS-CSA CyberSG TIG Collaboration Centre leverages the University’s strengths, including ready innovation platforms, entrepreneurial academic programs, a global ecosystem network, and multidisciplinary resources. We aim to promote growth in the cybersecurity sector and enhance cybersecurity capabilities across industry sectors, enabling them to be future-ready.”

David Koh, Commissioner of Cybersecurity and Chief Executive of CSA, also underscored the significance of workforce and ecosystem development in Singapore’s cybersecurity strategy. “The CyberSG TIG Collaboration Centre will play an important role in bringing together ecosystem stakeholders to develop innovative solutions and grow talent,” he said.

Collaborations with diverse partners, such as ISTARI, the global cybersecurity platform established by Temasek, are integral to the success of the CyberSG TIG Collaboration Centre. NUS and ISTARI will collaborate on internships, mentorships, and joint events to advance the centre’s objectives and foster collaborative efforts aimed at enhancing cyber resilience in the region.

Rashmy Chatterjee, CEO of ISTARI, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, saying, “As a collaboration, we can collectively help make Singapore the premier global cybersecurity hub for innovation and talent.”

The NUS-CSA CyberSG TIG Collaboration Centre represents a significant step towards fortifying Singapore’s cybersecurity capabilities, fostering innovation, and driving economic growth in the digital age. With its strategic pillars and partnerships, the centre is poised to make a lasting impact on the global cybersecurity landscape.

Featured Image Credit: NUS