PS(MICA) Mr Chan Yeng Kit speaking at the Conference.

The Association of Information Security Professionals (AISP) has launched a Qualified Information Security Professional (QISP) training programme aimed at raising professional proficiency and building a critical pool of competent personnel in Singapore to handle, contain and mange cyber security threats.

The launch was announced at the SecureAsia@Singapore 2010 Conference on 26 July 2010 by Mr Chan Yeng Kit, Permanent Secretary for Information, Communications and the Arts.  Accredited under the National Infocomm Competency Framework, QISP programme targets those who aspire to become infocomm security professionals, or who wish to gain comprehensive knowledge in infocomm security.

The programme, encompassing training and an examination, is jointly developed by the AISP and the Institute of Systems Science, a specialist IT training institute of the National University of Singapore. The training content includes Information Security Governance, Information Security Risk Management, Information Systems Audit, Security Incident Management, Cryptography, among others. It will also ensure participants have knowledge of Singapore security-related laws and regulations.

Participants who have passed the QISP programme examination, and have at least one year of relevant working experience will qualify for membership in the AISP.  This will provide them further opportunity for education and skills upgrading in the security profession.

According to Mr Gerard Tan, AISP President, it is the first programme specially designed to qualify information security professionals in Singapore. He said, “QISP training includes international best practices in information security as well as Singapore-specific information security laws and regulations. QISP graduates will be equipped to work more competently not only in the general international environment but more specifically in the
Singapore environment.”

Registration is now open for the inaugural QISP programme, which will commence on 6 September 2010.  From now till November 2010, programme trainees can take advantage of the SPUR (Skills Programme for Upgrading and Resilience) grant from the Workforce Development Agency, with which they only need to pay 10 per cent of the training course fee or S$620.

The AISP was established under Singapore’s second Infocomm Security Masterplan to help transform infocomm security into a distinguished profession. Building on the first masterplan that was launched in 2005, the second five-year roadmap seeks to attain higher levels of resiliency and availability for Singapore’s national infocomm infrastructure and services.

Cyber Security Awareness Alliance
Besides establishing the AISP to raise the standing of the infocomm security profession, another key initiative under the second Infocomm Security Masterplan is the Cyber Security Awareness Alliance to raise the awareness and adoption of essential cyber security practices amongst users, and build a positive culture of cyber security
in Singapore.

Alliance's new tagline "GO SAFE ONLINE"

Announcing the Alliance's new tagline, "GO SAFE ONLINE", Mr Chan said it serves as a call-to-action where users are reminded to take personal responsibility in protecting themselves against cyber threats.

Currently, the Alliance is working with the National Crime Prevention Council to develop the Virtual Cyber Security Park portal, which will enable students to learn various facets of cyber wellness, safety and security via interactive mode such as educational online games. The game concepts will be developed in consultation with counsellors, cyber awareness teachers, gaming advocates, law enforcers, lawyers and other subject matter experts. Students through participating in the games will learn more about cyber security, legalities, gaming addiction, online safety and well-being.

In addition, the Alliance is also working with the Singapore Management University to develop a Business Challenge with the aim of raising cyber security awareness amongst small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and tertiary students through an in-depth business IT case challenge. It also aims to promote creativity and mental dexterity among students by challenging them to design, research and promote their IT-enabled solution to a real-world business case. SMEs that are selected as the model business case studies would obtain advice on their business IT security issues. The Business Challenge will be conducted by first quarter of 2011.