SINGAPORE — Cyber security efforts in Asean countries will be given a boost, with Singapore setting aside S$1.5 million over three years to help train incident responders and operators in the region to tackle cyber threats.

The money will come from the S$10million Asean Cyber Capacity Building Programme, set up by Singapore last year to strengthen the group’s capability to respond to cyber threats by developing technical and policy-building capabilities.

Announcing this at the opening of the second annual Asean Ministerial Conference on Cybersecurity in Singapore yesterday, Minister for Communications and Information Dr Yaacob Ibrahim said the Republic will partner the industry to run an Asean Cybersecurity Industrial Attachment Programme. It will offer training opportunities here for up to 18 candidates from Asean member states.

Dr Yaacob also called for a unified Asean voice on cyber policy. He said: “Singapore is supportive of having basic rules for behaviour in cyberspace and believes that Asean can work together to reach consensus on basic voluntary cyber norms for the region.

“I would like to put forth a call for greater coordination among Asean on cyber policy and capacity building so that we can project a unified Asean voice internationally to protect and advance our regional perspectives.”

At home, there will be a delay in pushing forth cyber security legislation via the Cybersecurity Bill.

Dr Yaacob said yesterday the Cybersecurity Bill will be tabled in Parliament next year, instead of later this year as was originally announced.

He added that in developing the Bill, the Government consulted stakeholders including sector leads, potential critical information infrastructure owners, the wider industry and public. It also extended the public consultation period in response to the interest in the legislation.

Singapore also signed a Memorandum of Cooperation yesterday with Japan’s National Centre of Incident Readiness and Strategy for Cybersecurity to strengthen cyber security cooperation. It will cover areas such as information exchanges, collaborations to enhance cyber security awareness, joint regional capacity building efforts and sharing of best practices.

A Memorandum of Understanding will be signed today between the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore and Information Systems Audit and Control Association, a professional body with members in 188 countries. Both parties will work together to grow the pool of cyber security professionals.

Dr Yaacob added: “Globally, we are confronted with a pressing problem of a shortage of cyber security professionals. The government cannot grow the cyber security workforce and the ecosystem alone. Joint collaborations between the government and companies, professional bodies and associations serve as gateways to attract advanced cyber security companies with highly skilled practitioners.”