Singapore Polytechnic Launches First Cyber Wargame Centre Among Tertiary Education Institutions

03 Jan 2013

Published on 3 January 2013

Singapore Polytechnic (SP) announced today the launch of the first Cyber Wargame Centre, amongst tertiary education institutions, to train the cyber defenders of tomorrow. The centre is developed in collaboration with key technology partners such as e-Cop, ST Electronics and Paraben.

The Cyber Wargame Centre is part of the Diploma in Infocomm Security Management (DISM) programme and it provides a more authentic learning environment to train students in dealing with real-world security scenarios.

The centre signifies a new teaching and learning method of SP, where it will enhance students’ knowledge on state-of-the-art cyber-attack techniques and defence mechanism, and forensic analysis skills. This is key to ensuring that students stay relevant and current of the national infocomm security requirements.

"With the rapidly changing and ever threatening cyber security landscape, there is a need to constantly be on guard and ensure that we have the right people and tools to protect our cyberspace. The Cyber Wargame Centre marks a significant milestone in the fight against the transnational threat of cybercrime. It will give students a good foundation for a career in infocomm security. We look forward to working with SP to develop capabilities to counter cyber security threats," said Mr Augustine Chiew, Senior Deputy Director (Capability Development) of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The Cyber Wargame learning approach will supersede the traditional computer laboratory teaching on security where students learn offensive, defensive and investigative skills in silos. With the new scenario-based approach, DISM students will learn how to find vulnerabilities of the systems from an attacker’s perspective, and detect intrusion from cyber defender’s perspective.

With input from Infocomm Development Authority, the various exercise scenarios conducted will also allow students to learn the steps to respond to security incidents, mitigate security risks, perform forensics analysis and take apart the working mechanism of malware via reverse engineering.

“We are an advocate of ‘learning-by-doing” and we aim to create a realistic environment for SP students to acquire the operational and tactical engagement skills in responding to cyber threats. The new cyber wargame learning approach will also help students develop key soft skills of security professionals in the industry. These include effective teamwork, resourcefulness and ability to work under pressure,” said Mr Liew Chin Chuan, course manager of SP’s Diploma in Infocomm Security Management.

Four learning spaces of Cyber Wargame Centre
The Centre comprises four learning spaces that provide SP’s Infocomm Security Management students a well-rounded curriculum for learning and training. Please see Annex I.

(1) The Cyber Range 
A perfect experiential learning place for students to practice ethical hacking through the use of software, customised by ST Electronics, to emulate a large network in different scenarios. A key feature of this software is its flexibility in configuring the space for an individual class and for a combined cyber exercise for 2 to 3 classes together. SP is the first polytechnic to use such a software in Singapore.

(2) The Cyberwatch Competency Centre
The first-of-its-kind in the region, it leverages on e-Cop’s Security Information and Event Management solution to give students access to defensive technologies at their fingertips. In this centre, students get to monitor threats and determine if there is an attempt to hack the facility.

(3) The Malware Analysis Lab 
A safe environment for students to analyse and “play” with malicious software such as viruses, worms, spy-ware or Trojans and learn about their behaviours. The lab is set up with advice from anti-virus software provider, Kaspersky.

(4) The Forensics Investigation Lab 
Teaches students investigative skills on computer forensics and mobile security. They will learn the process and techniques of conducting proper forensics investigation with all types of devices. SP is the first polytechnic in Singapore to use Paraben’s Mobile Forensics Training Curriculum in its courses

Leveraging on solutions and technologies powered by the industry, the Cyber Wargame Centre will see students and educators working together with industry partners like e-Cop and ST Electronics on real-world cyber security projects. Both the infrastructure and cyber monitoring software used are common in the industry so students will be trained to industry standard upon graduation.

"We are pleased to offer the Emulated Cyber Network System to help nurture future generations of infocomm security professionals. It will simulate realistic cyber network scenarios where students will hone their cyber security competencies. As the leading ICT industry player in Singapore, we are happy to work closely with partners in the educational sector to develop innovative solutions that will equip our students with relevant knowledge and capabilities to meet the demands of the real world," said Mr Jeremy Foo, Senior Vice President/General Manager, ST Electronics (Training & Simulation Systems) Pte Ltd.

Mr Noel Hon, Chairman of the e-Cop Group added, “e-Cop congratulates SP for the launch of Cyberwatch Competency Centre, region’s first such centre. We are honoured to collaborate with established institutions like SP to foster industry-relevant skills in the future pool of cyber security leaders. Our Cyclops Enterprise Security Manager is widely-preferred by enterprises and it is our pleasure to deploy this solution in the Cyberwatch Competency Centre to provide students with the essential hands-on experience.”

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