CSA and industry partners launch Industry Call for Innovation

The Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) and partner, TNB Ventures, recently launched a Cybersecurity Industry Call for Innovation inviting industry providers to develop innovative solutions to address specific cybersecurity challenges. This is done in collaboration with five participating organisations – Ascendas-Singbridge Group, PacificLight Power, Singapore LNG Corporation (SLNG), SMRT Corporation (SMRT) and Singapore Press Holdings (SPH). The Call for Innovation consolidates and articulates the cybersecurity needs of these organisations into challenge statements that industry solution providers are invited to address through innovative solutions.

There are two categories of challenge statements. The first category is “Advanced Protection and Detection” to help end-users avoid, defend against, and detect cyber-attacks. This includes intelligent solutions that are able to detect intrusions into Operational Technology (OT) systems. The second category is “Advanced Security Operations” to help end-users reduce their vulnerabilities through better management of their systems. This includes solutions to increase the efficiency of patch management processes and management of Internet-of-Things (IoT) and Cloud systems.

“The Call provides an excellent platform for us to share with innovators and solution providers the challenges facing our sector, and to work together to strengthen the country’s capacity to address the growing cybersecurity threats,” said Chong Nai Min, Vice President (Information Technology), SLNG.

“This Call presents a unique opportunity for Ascendas-Singbridge Group to engage with a wide range of cybersecurity solution providers. It would certainly help us to gain access to, and be a sponsor of, innovation emerging from Singapore,” said Alvin Tan, Chief Information Officer, Ascendas-Singbridge Group.

The submission period for the Call closes on 18 December 2018. Solution providers whose proposals are shortlisted will be invited to discuss their proposals in greater depth with the participating organisations for potential co-innovation, adoption and test-bedding.

Selected solutions that fulfil the eligibility criteria may also be awarded with POC funding of up to S$500,000 under CSA’s Co-innovation and Development Proof-of-Concept Scheme. More details on this scheme can be found here.

Said Yu Tat Ming, CEO of PacificLight Energy Pte Ltd and PacificLight Power Pte Ltd.: “PacificLight is pleased to be working on this timely initiative with key stakeholders. To protect ourselves against increasing cyber threats, it is vital that industry, regulators, researchers and IT specialists work together to increase our collective knowledge and capabilities.”

“It is exciting to have this opportunity to be a part of the “Call for Innovation” and participate in the development of solutions that address our ever growing cybersecurity challenges,” said Danny Low, VP Systems & Network, SPH.

“Keeping our digital infrastructure safe from relentless and increasingly advanced cyber-attacks is a challenge that requires the joint effort of all stakeholders involved,” said Michael Yap, Managing Director, TNB Ventures. “Through this initiative, we aim to provide greater opportunities for innovative solutions to be supported and adopted more widely.”

Teo Chin Hock, Deputy Chief Executive (Development), CSA said: “The cyber threat landscape is evolving rapidly. To build our cyber defences and at the same time grow the industry, innovation is important. We are glad to have our partners on-board our first Cybersecurity Industry Call for Innovation. We hope to help them strengthen their cyber resilience, and at the same time, provide opportunities for solution providers to catalyse cutting-edge solutions here for commercial adoption.”

Interested solution providers can find more information on the Cybersecurity Industry Call for Innovation, the full Challenge Statements as well as submit their proposals here.