Credit: Dreamstime
An industry call for innovation has been launched by the cyber security agency of Singapore (CSA) and TNB Ventures, aimed at solution providers developing innovative solutions addressing specific customer challenges.
This will be done in collaboration with five participating organisations, namely, Ascendas-Singbridge Group, PacificLight Power, Singapore LNG Corporation (SLNG), SMRT Corporation (SMRT) and Singapore Press Holdings (SPH).
"The cyber threat landscape is evolving rapidly,” said Teo Chin Hock, deputy chief executive (Development), CSA. “To build our cyber defences and at the same time grow the industry, innovation is important.
"We are glad to have our partners onboard 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."
The solutions should be ready for testing and deployment within a 12-month timeframe, with the challenges falling under two broad categories.
The first category is ‘advanced protection and detection' - solutions under this category should primarily be designed to help end-users avoid, defend against, and detect cyber attacks.
Specifically, this includes intelligent solutions that are able to detect intrusions into operational technology (OT) systems.
Meanwhile, the second category centres around ‘advanced security operations' - solutions under this category should primarily be designed to help end-users reduce their vulnerabilities through better management of their systems.
Furthermore, this includes solutions to increase the efficiency of patch management processes and management of Internet of Things (IoT) and cloud systems.
"Keeping our digital infrastructure safe from relentless and increasingly advanced cyber-attacks is a challenge that requires the joint effort of all stakeholders involved,” added Michael Yap, managing director of TNB Ventures. "Through this initiative, we aim to provide greater opportunities for innovative solutions to be supported and adopted more widely."
The deadline for submissions falls 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.
"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 cyber security threats,” said Chong Nai Min, vice president (Information Technology), SLNG.
In addition, selected solutions that fulfil the eligibility criteria may also be awarded POC funding of up to $500,000 under CSA’s co-innovation and development proof-of-concept scheme.
“PacificLight is pleased to be working on this timely initiative with key stakeholders,” said Yu Tat Ming, CEO of PacificLight Energy and PacificLight Power.
“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."
Interested providers can find more information on the cyber security industry call for innovation, the full challenge statements as well as submit their proposals by clicking here.
"This call presents a unique opportunity for Ascendas-Singbridge Group to engage with a wide range of cyber-security solution providers,” said Alvin Tan, CIO of Ascendas-Singbridge Group. "It would certainly help us to gain access to, and be a sponsor of, innovation emerging from Singapore."
