The shortfall of cybersecurity professionals in Singapore is expected to more than double to 2,500 in the next three years, and the Government will take further steps to close the gap, Minister for Communications and Information Yaacob Ibrahim said on Monday (Nov 7). Among the latest measures is the Cyber Security Agency’s (CSA) signing of Memoranda of Understanding with the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) and Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) to groom more talent in this area. “Today, cybersecurity professionals are in demand. The 2015 IDA Infocomm Manpower Survey estimated a current shortfall of 1,000 professionals. This shortfall is expected to grow to 2,500 in the next three years, with SMEs (small and medium enterprises) making up 80 per cent of this demand,” said Dr Yaacob, who is also Minister-in-charge of Cyber Security, at the National Security Conference 2016. “By end-2018, we expect more than 800 cybersecurity degree and diploma holders each year. But more can be done to help these students join the workforce… One key outcome of these MOUs is that students would be more industry-ready upon graduation,” he added. Under the MOUs, the CSA will work with SIT and NYP to develop cybersecurity curricula, research and development projects, as well as provide internship opportunities for students to gain exposure. The collaboration will also involve initiatives to improve the cyber-resilience of businesses and individuals in Singapore. CSA will start its collaboration with NYP by co-developing modules under a new Cyber Security Operations Co-operative Programme to prepare students to fill cyber-security roles in the public and private sectors. Its first initiative in partnership with SIT will be a 12-month internship programme. Source: http://www.todayonline.com/business/govt-partners-sit-nyp-nurture-cybersecurity-talent