The Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) and NEC have entered into a multi-year agreement to build capabilities in cybersecurity through EDB’s Strategic Attachment and Training (STRAT) program.
NEC and EDB will seek qualified cybersecurity professionals and graduates to take part in a cybersecurity training program designed to equip them with the needed skills to counter the latest cyber threats.
The training aims to develop key in-depth skills and cybersecurity capabilities in areas of malware analysis, incident response, intrusion detection, digital forensics and vulnerability assessment.
The STRAT program aims to build up Singapore's manpower capabilities in strategic areas and sectors through overseas training and attachment with leading companies, and is open to Singaporean citizens and permanent residents.
The one-year program will involve cybersecurity training locally, as well as with one of NEC’s Security Operations Centres (SOC) in Japan, which will focus on developing cyber operator, analyst and incident responder skills.
Training options also include working at one of NEC’s Regional Competency Centres or at an international partner agency, which will provide on-the-job-training in technical support for cyber operations, cyber forensics and malware analysis. Trainees will also have the option of working at NEC’s research laboratories on research and development projects.
The global shortage of qualified cybersecurity professionals has been highlighted in numerous reports. According to a Mckinsey and World Economic Forum report, delays in adopting cybersecurity capabilities could result in a loss of $3 trillion (S$3.75 trillion) in economic value by 2020 globally. A global study by Frost & Sullivan highlights that hacking, cyber-terrorism and hactivism are top concerns identified by organizations, yet more than half feel their security organizations are short-staffed.