Category: Initiatives

Singapore, 17 October 2024 – The SANS Institute, a global leader in cybersecurity training, and Cyber Youth Singapore (CYS) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to make essential cybersecurity training and resources more accessible to youths in Singapore. This includes the launch of the CYS YouthxSkills (Cybersecurity) Scholarship which seeks to support financially disadvantaged youths with critical entry-level cybersecurity skills and certifications. Dr Janil Puthucheary, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Digital Development and Information, was at the launch event and witnessed the signing of this landmark agreement during this year’s GovWare Conference and Exhibition.

As Singapore rapidly embraces digital transformation, the need for a highly skilled cyber workforce has never been greater. The SANS Institute and CYS initiatives aim to help meet this demand by providing youths with opportunities to access top-tier cybersecurity training and certifications.

Matthias Chia, Director of Strategy, SANS Institute, said: “By providing these training opportunities, we are making sure that more young people can access the skills and support they need to thrive in the cybersecurity industry. This initiative not only addresses the skills gap but ensures that the training they receive is practical and immediately applicable. SANS Institute and Cyber Youth Singapore have taken a meaningful step towards providing access to these critical skills for the next generation of cyber professionals.”

The collaboration will introduce initiatives aimed at empowering young people in Singapore. These include targeted support and resources for youths from diverse backgrounds, while also developing and promoting educational programmes that equip them with cybersecurity skills. Additionally, the partnership will focus on the sharing of cyber security knowledge and expertise through active community engagement. Efforts will also be made to spark interest in technology and cybersecurity among youths, helping to cultivate the next generation of talent in the sector.

Sean Wong, Head of YouthxSkills (Cybersecurity), Cyber Youth Singapore, said: “This initiative with SANS Institute empowers youths to take an active role in shaping their future within the cybersecurity industry. By creating opportunities for youths to develop essential cybersecurity skills, we are helping to bridge the gap for many who otherwise would not have access to such resources.”

Dr Janil Puthucheary, Senior Minister of State for Digital Development and Information, said: “I am heartened that CYS is launching the CYS Youth-Skills (Cybersecurity) Scholarship to support our youths to acquire these professional certifications and gain relevant skills at an earlier stage. The Government will complement this effort by providing a SkillsFuture grant to reduce the cost of SANS cybersecurity courses. This collaboration between the Government and the cybersecurity community exemplifies how we can work together to build up different segments of the cybersecurity workforce for Singapore. I urge the cybersecurity community to step forward as industry sponsors to support the CYS Youth-Skills scholarship, and continue to nurture and groom cybersecurity talent for the future.” This is an unprecedented opportunity for young Singaporeans, empowering them with essential cybersecurity skills and equipping them to thrive in a growing industry while playing a key role in securing the nation’s digital future.

About SANS Institute

SANS Institute is the global leader in cybersecurity training, certification, and research. Founded in 1989, SANS has a proven track record of providing individuals, organisations, and governments around the world with the knowledge and skills needed to successfully prevent, detect, and respond to cyber threats.

For more information about the MOU please contact Singapore@sans.org or visit SANS.org to learn more about the organisation.

About CYS

CYS is a youth-led national movement dedicated to stewarding Singapore’s digital future by transforming youth from passive consumers to active participants in the tech landscape. With a dedication to empowering, representing and uniting the voice of Singapore’s youth, CYS advocates for their interests, supporting them to harness the full potential of technology in a mission to foster a generation of tech leaders equipped with the skills, knowledge, and boldness to drive Singapore’s technological advancement.

For more information about CYS, please contact hello@cyberyouth.sg.

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New York, July 10, 2024 – Cyber Youth Singapore (CYS) participated in the eighth substantive session of the Open Ended Working Group (OEWG) on Security of and in the Use of Information and Communications Technology at the United Nations headquarters in New York. 

CYS is one of the 93 non-governmental agencies to be accredited to participate in this working group, and stands as the only Asian youth group to be accredited. CYS’ participation marks a significant milestone in Singapore’s youth NGO development and demonstrates the ability of our youth to engage with pertinent positions globally.

Reflecting on the effects of the deepening application of artificial intelligence and the escalation of geopolitical tensions on Singapore’s digital landscape, as well as the need to do more to protect youths, CYS presented three key interventions focused on enhancing legal frameworks, increasing non-state stakeholder roles, and boosting youth involvement in global cybersecurity decision making. CYS’ oral representations, delivered by Ms Beatrice Tan (CYS Head of Cyber Youth Academy), can be found in Annex A below. 

Elaborating on CYS’ efforts to empower youths, Ms Tan shared that CYS plans to organise a Digital Youth Forum in Singapore by 2026. She adds, “This (forum) will allow all stakeholders to come together to boost capacity development specifically to mitigate cyber threats for the young.” Ms Tan also extended an invitation for interested parties to attend the Digital Youth Forum.

The OEWG serves as a crucial platform for global dialogue on cybersecurity. Established to address international cybersecurity challenges, the OEWG aims to develop a framework of norms, rules, and principles for responsible state behaviour in cyberspace. 

Its goals include promoting cooperation among nations, enhancing national capacities to secure ICT environments, and building confidence through regular communication and information sharing. The OEWG’s work is vital in shaping international policies that aim to maintain a stable and secure global digital landscape, thus contributing to a rules-based world order.

CYS is committed to continuing to empower young Singaporeans to leverage technology to help themselves and society thrive. We will impart the experiences from this participation at the UN to more youths in Singapore, such as through various post-event engagements, to create more capacity for our youths to shape the digital future. 

CYS’ participation in-person at the United Nations was made possible with the support of the National Youth Council, as well as advisors such as Mr Benjamin Ang from the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS).