TL;DR: Representatives from Singapore’s Cyber Security Agency (CSA) and the UK’s Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (UK-DSIT) express their commitment to jointly build and advance a well-defined and future-ready cybersecurity profession. The initiative aims to address the global cybersecurity skills gap through international cooperation, ultimately enhancing cyber resilience across economies.
Representatives from the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology in the UK (UK-DSIT) have announced their shared commitment to forge a robust, clearly-defined, and forward-looking cybersecurity profession.
Global Recognition of Skills Gap
Singapore and the UK acknowledge the worldwide cybersecurity skills gap as a pressing concern, necessitating a collaborative approach on a global scale. Addressing this gap is crucial in reducing cyber risks to organizations and citizens, while also supporting the growth of the sector workforce in the years to come.
Minister Josephine Teo of Singapore and Baroness Neville-Rolfe of the UK Cabinet Office met at the Singapore International Cyber Week 2023, reaffirming their mutual intent to collaborate on the development of cybersecurity profession and skills.
Areas of Cooperation
- Common Knowledge Base: The two nations aim to build and align a shared knowledge base in cybersecurity. This may involve a joint research project to harmonize the UK’s Cyber Security Body of Knowledge (CyBOK) and Singapore’s Information Security Body of Knowledge (IS-BOK).
- Skills Mapping: Efforts will be made to map the knowledge and skills necessary for various areas of practice in cybersecurity. This could include work towards aligning qualifications and certifications with the skills and competencies required by cybersecurity professionals in both Singapore and the UK.
- UK Cyber Security Council Access: There will be an exploration into the possibility of allowing cyber practitioners in Singapore to apply for professional chartership with the UK Cyber Security Council. This includes introducing the Council to UK businesses based in Singapore.
- Cyber Skills Dialogue: A platform will be established for representatives from government, industry, and academia in the UK and Singapore to engage in dialogue, aimed at enhancing the size, diversity, and quality of national cyber workforces.
David Koh, Commissioner of Cybersecurity and Chief Executive of CSA, emphasized the need for a strong cybersecurity workforce to effectively combat evolving global cyber threats.
“As cyber threats continue to escalate and evolve globally, we need a strong cybersecurity workforce to tackle these threats more effectively. Our partnership with the UK-DSIT will improve the quality of our cybersecurity workforce through the alignment of common skills and competencies. Cybersecurity professionals from both countries will also benefit from the chance to come together to exchange views and raise the level of professionalism”
David Koh, Commissioner of Cybersecurity and Chief Executive of CSA
Lindy Cameron, CEO of NCSC, highlighted the necessity for international collaboration to bridge the cybersecurity skills gap.
“Resolving the cyber security skills gap will only be achieved with international collaboration. I was delighted that two weeks ago the UK Cyber Security Council recognised the first 100 cyber practitioners with professional titles. Our ambition should be to work towards international recognition of these standards and the UK-Singapore partnership is the start.”
Lindy Cameron, CEO of NCSC
