NUS, Singtel launch $43 million cyber security laboratory

The NUS-Singtel Cyber Security Research and Development Laboratory, hosted by the NUS School of Computing, is the 10th laboratory supported under the Laboratory@University scheme by the NRF. PHOTO: ST FILE

SINGAPORE - The cyber security space in Singapore received a boost with the launch of a laboratory under an official National Research Foundation (NRF) scheme to develop new technologies to combat security threats.

The NRF, National University of Singapore (NUS) and telco Singtel will invest $43 million in the laboratory over the next five years in areas such as data analytics and machine learning for automatic cyber attack detection, and tamper-proof encryption techniques.

The NUS-Singtel Cyber Security Research and Development Laboratory, hosted by the NUS School of Computing, is the 10th laboratory supported under the Corporate Laboratory@University scheme by the NRF.

"We must constantly be on guard, and be prepared to deal with the increasingly sophisticated cyber threats," said Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean at Monday's (Oct 24) launch.

A key deliverable of the NUS-Singtel Cyber Security Research and Development Laboratory will be increasing Singapore's pool of cyber security professionals, and raising their capabilities, he said.

The facility will host 100 researchers and train 120 new cyber security professionals from the undergraduate to postgraduate level over the next five years.

Citing increasing threats targeting both the public and private sector, DPM Teo, who is also chairman of NRF, said Singapore has taken progressive steps over the years to strengthen its cyber security capabilities.

These include the $130 million National Cyber Security Research and Development Programme in 2013 to bolster the nation's security.

He said that an additional $60 million will be allocated to a Research, Innovation and Enterprise 2020 Plan.

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