October 11, 2016
The Republic on Tuesday (Oct 11) announced the launch of its S$10 million ASEAN Cyber Capacity Programme aimed at enhancing the cybersecurity resources and know-how among fellow Southeast Asian member states.
Minister for Communications and Information Yaacob Ibrahim said at the ASEAN Ministerial Conference on Cybersecurity that the money will pay for resources, expertise and training, so that the countries will be equipped to drive and take ownership of their respective cybersecurity agenda.
The funds will be utilised over five years from April 2017.
“More specifically, the programme will provide the resources to broaden the scope of capacity building activities and better hone technical skills and incident response,” Dr Yaacob, who is also the Minister-in-charge of Cybersecurity, said. “It will also support discussion and consultancy work in areas such as the formation of national cybersecurity agencies, formulating cybersecurity strategies, and even legislation.”
He added: “The flexibility of the ACCP funding allows us to channel efforts to where they are most needed and can be most effective.”