Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP) and Group-IB, a leading creator of cybersecurity technologies to investigate, prevent and fight digital crime, signed an extension to a Memorandum of Understanding today to nurture a pipeline of cybersecurity talent through new initiatives. Through this new learning framework, students will use the latest cybersecurity technologies, develop practical skills, and get to apply them in real-world settings by working with NP’s start-up partners.
With more than 3.5 million cybersecurity positions worldwide unfilled in 2023 – according to research firm Cybersecurity Ventures – cybersecurity talent is highly sought-after globally. Locally, LinkedIn’s “Jobs on the Rise 2023” report echoed this by revealing how cybersecurity engineers and specialists are among the fastest-growing jobs in Singapore.
Training with the Latest Industry-standard Software
To prepare students to fight real-life cyber threats, NP’s School of InfoComm Technology (ICT) will set up a unique student-operated NP – Group-IB Threat Intelligence and Defence Centre (TIDC) powered by Group-IB’s industry-leading cybersecurity solutions. The first-ever TIDC in Singapore will allow young talents to gain valuable insights into proactive identification and management of real cyber threats. Over the next three years, more than 200 students in NP’s Cybersecurity & Digital Forensics (CSF) course will be trained in intelligence collection and analysis, incident response, threat hunting, vulnerability assessment, and security monitoring – critical areas that will protect organisations from ever-evolving cyber threats.
NP is the only institute of higher learning in Singapore to receive Group-IB’s royalty-free academic license valued at $360,000. Students will now have access to its industry-leading suite of technologies, including the Group-IB Threat Intelligence, Business Email Protection, Managed Extended Detection and Response (MXDR), and Attack Surface Management solutions aimed at preventing and investigating digital crime. Group-IB will also co-develop and co-deliver hands-on training, so students can become proficient in using the software.
Applying Skills in Real-world Settings
Housed at NP, the NP-Group-IB TIDC is equipped with Group-IB’s Threat Intelligence, which holds the industry’s broadest range of data about cyber threat actors’ behaviors, their tools and malicious infrastructure. Under the partnership, the TIDC will help about 50 start-up partners at AGILE and Pollinate – NP’s on-campus and off-campus incubators respectively – enhance their resilience against cyber threats. The facility will be managed by final-year CSF students, who will take on the role of the start-ups’ Security Analyst under the guidance of cyber intelligence professionals from Group-IB and NP lecturers.
A 2023 report by the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore revealed that small and medium enterprises accounted for most of the 132 ransomware cases reported in 2021. The TIDC will seek to alleviate some common challenges that start-ups face in implementing cybersecurity measures, such as the lack of in-house cybersecurity staff. At the same time, this new initiative will bring classroom coursework to life and bridge the gap between theoretical concepts and practical applications, making the learning process more effective and NP students better prepared for a career in the cybersecurity field.
Specifically, students will research and identify past, present, and future cyber threats facing the start-ups to provide them with actionable intelligence and threat mitigation strategies. Students will dive deep into the Dark web to uncover compromised credentials, payment records, breached databases related to the start-ups, as well as the phishing infrastructure set up to target them and their customers.
One of NP’s start-up partners that benefitted from the TIDC is Eezee, an online marketplace for business supplies.
“Putting in place cybersecurity measures is something that SMEs find hard to prioritise, much like a routine health check-up. However, the comprehensive threat intelligence report and its detailed recommendations have opened our eyes to the importance of digital security. It has certainly strengthened our commitment to safeguarding our digital assets.”
Chief Technology Officer and co-founder of Eezee
“Learning how to use Group-IB’s Threat Intelligence and Managed XDR gave me new insights into how cybersecurity companies fight cybercrime. Working at the new Threat Intelligence and Defence Centre has allowed me to gain valuable real-world experience and honed my skills in threat detection.”
Final-year CSF student
Strengthening the Bridge between Academia and Industry
Beyond setting up new learning facilities, Group-IB will establish a knowledge-exchange framework to drive professional development for NP staff attachment programmes. The rigorous attachment programme will see lecturers work alongside Group-IB’s team of cyber analysts for first-hand exposure to the dynamic work environment and develop hands-on experience with Group-IB’s proprietary technologies. Relevant knowledge and experience gained will be incorporated into the curriculum, ensuring that the CSF course reflects industry-current practices.
“As cyberattacks continue to evolve and grow in sophistication, there is an increased need to step up our efforts to nurture the next generation of cyber defenders. NP’s latest collaboration with Group-IB reinforces our commitment to be in the forefront of cybersecurity training to grow the cybersecurity ecosystem. We are thankful to Group-IB for availing their proprietary software to our students and faculty, and for partnering us in co-delivering lessons and setting up the TIDC. We are confident that our collaboration will greatly benefit our students as well as the cybersecurity sector.”
Senior Director, Technology, Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Ngee Ann Polytechnic
“We are excited to further extend our collaboration with Ngee Ann Polytechnic in advancing the skills and employability of the NP talent pool. NP has already made a concerted effort to promote their cybersecurity programmes and provide future cybersecurity pros with a very solid foundation and self-learning skills. We want to build on this foundation by equipping young talents with the latest innovations in the field and empowering them with practical skills essential for fighting cybercrime in Singapore and beyond, in line with Group-IB’s global mission.”
CEO and founder of Group-IB
