Singapore modernising cyber security system

Singapore is reportedly upgrading its Cyber-Watch Centre to integrate wider detection capabilities and beef up protection for government systems following a wave of cyber attacks last year.

When completed in January 2015, the modernisation will make the centre capable of tracking illegal modifications to websites and network traffic further enabling detection of malicious files and potential data leaks.

Singapore Communications and Information Minister Yaacob Ibrahim was quoted by Strait Times as saying: "This upgrade will allow us to better monitor government websites and inspect if there are malicious activities, which could affect access to online public services."

In addition, Singapore Government is working on strengthening the country’s cybersecurity expertise to enhance the local workforce.

Singapore’s Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) is seeking tertiary institutes to add cybersecurity in the curriculum, and Singapore Institute of Technology is also planning to roll out an undergraduate Information Security degree programme.

Yaacob added: "We need to grow Singapore’s pool of Infocomm security experts and build their capabilities.

"The biggest growth in manpower requirements will be in the areas of security operations, security engineering and technology.

"Apart from dedicated cybersecurity experts, other professionals in areas like network engineering and application development are also needed in defending network infrastructure or applications from ever-increasing cyber threats."

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