The Iranian hacker group that infiltrated 52 staff accounts at four local universities was probably looking for sensitive research or valuable patents, said cybersecurity experts, noting that such syndicates focus on varsities with strong reputations.

"If you are looking for ground-breaking research to steal, it makes sense to target the smartest countries," said Mr David Maciejak, cybersecurity firm Fortinet's security research director, responding to news that institutions here had been hit as part of a four-year-long university hacking campaign. "It's not the first time Singapore research institutions are targeted and it will not be the last."