Launch of new CSA-iTrust Master of Science in Security by Design Scholarship (CiMS) Programme at the Operational Technology Cybersecurity Expert Panel Forum 2022

JOINT NEWS RELEASE

The Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) has announced the launch of a new CSA-iTrust Master of Science in Security by Design Scholarship (CiMS) Programme at the Operational Technology Cybersecurity Expert Panel Forum 2022 on 12 July 2022.

Operational Technology (OT) cybersecurity talent development is one of the key thrusts under Singapore’s OT Cybersecurity Masterplan, which was launched in 2019. With the increased connectivity between IT and OT systems, and emergence of more sophisticated cyber threats, there is a need to strengthen the OT cybersecurity workforce and support the continued growth of the sector. The CiMS Programme aims to do this by awarding scholarships to qualified candidates who are enrolled in the Master of Science in Security by Design (MSSD) programme in the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD).

The MSSD Programme equips students with a thorough understanding of cybersecurity fundamentals and the skillsets to apply security by design principles in a variety of organisational domains. Students have access to the latest fundamental and applied research findings as well as and some of the world’s best OT testbeds that simulate critical infrastructure, which are all co-located in SUTD. The CiMS Programme is another initiative marking the strong collaboration between CSA and SUTD. CSA currently funds the iTrust Laboratories and the National Satellite of Excellence in Design Science and Technology for Secure Critical Infrastructure (NSOE-DeST-SCI) at SUTD through the National Cybersecurity R&D Programme (NCRP).

CSA will be funding up to 80 scholarships over 3 years through the CiMS Programme. The scholarships will be offered to qualified Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents who have been accepted into SUTD’s MSSD Programme on a full-time or part-time basis. Graduates from the CiMS programme can look forward to exciting careers in cybersecurity research in iTrust or in a variety of tech domains in the critical infrastructure sectors. More details on the scholarship applications can be found at https://itrust.sutd.edu.sg/capability-development/cims/.

About the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore

Established in 2015, the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) seeks to keep Singapore’s cyberspace safe and secure to underpin our Nation Security, power a Digital Economy and protect our Digital Way of Life. It maintains an oversight of national cybersecurity functions, and works with sector leads to protect Singapore’s Critical Information Infrastructure. CSA also engages with various stakeholders to heighten cyber security awareness, build a vibrant cybersecurity ecosystem supported by a robust workforce, pursue international partnerships and drive regional cybersecurity capacity building programmes. 

CSA is part of the Prime Minister’s Office and is managed by the Ministry of Communications and Information. For more news and information, please visit www.csa.gov.sg. 

About the National Cybersecurity R&D Programme

Launched in 2013, the National Cybersecurity R&D Programme (NCRP) seeks to develop R&D expertise and capabilities in cybersecurity for Singapore. The Programme aims to improve the trustworthiness of cyber infrastructure with an emphasis on security, reliability, resiliency and usability. NCRP will also support the development of cybersecurity R&D expertise in Singapore through the funding of grant calls and cybersecurity research infrastructure. NCRP’s funding of iTrust Laboratories and NSOE-DeST-SCI provides an avenue for researchers and public agencies to carry out applied research in a realistic environment safely through the set up of test-beds at iTrust that simulate operating environments in critical infrastructure such as water treatment and distribution.  CSA officially took over as the Implementing Agency for the NCRP on 1 Apr 2021.

About iTrust

iTrust is a leading research centre in SUTD that focuses on the safety and security of critical infrastructure. Its research and expertise in the defence of critical infrastructure against cyber-attacks is augmented by world class facilities: the Secure Water Treatment (SWaT), Water Distribution (WADI), Electric Power and Intelligent Control (EPIC) and Internet of Things (IoT) testbeds.