Geeky-looking nerds may characterise the typical cyber security professional, but that stereotype no longer holds true. “Cyber security needs people who are alert, people who can detect threats fast, and people with the agility of mind, body and spirit to keep pace with developments in the sector,” said NTUC Secretary-General (SG) Chan Chun Sing.
Addressing more than 200 attendees from the information security, risk, audit and control sectors at the GTACS (Governance, Technology Audit, Control and Security) 2016 conference on 28 April 2016 at Marina Bay Sands, SG Chan highlighted how information security is more than just about protecting information and data for external threats.
GTACS is an annual conference organised by the ISACA Singapore Chapter (also known as the Information Systems Audit and Control Association), an NTUC U Associate partner. Much of ISACA Singapore’s work is centred on promoting and elevating the visibility of various aspects of information security through professional events, certifications and educational programs.
Working Together
“Everyone has to work together to defend brand Singapore. While product innovation may be fast, is it secured or trusted?” he asked.
“While the Singapore brand has a premium, it will attract competitors looking to knock it down. So it will take a concerted effort to defend our systems. This is not a competition-based, but collaborative-based system.”
To do so, SG Chan stressed the need to groom double or triple the number of people to help build up and defend brand Singapore.
And together with U Associate partner ISACA, SG Chan shared that NTUC will be looking at ways to uplift professions in the information security sector whilst offering the workers in the sector avenues for career development by leveraging programmes offered by other partners in the U Associate programme.
