Singapore Polytechnic launches cyber wargame center

Singapore Polytechnic has launched a Cyber Wargame Center, a facility to train "the cyberdefenders of tomorrow", where students are immersed in an environment to deal with real life security scenarios.

According to a statement by the institute on Thursday, the center is part of a collaboration with local security vendor e-Cop, and technology vendors ST Electronics and Paraben. It is also a part of Singapore Polytechnic's Diploma in Infocomm Security Management (DISM) program.

The new facility's launch comes in light of the rapidly evolving security landscape, driving the need for IT professionals to constantly be on guard and ensure they have the right manpower and tools to protect Internet users, Augustine Chiew, senior deputy director of capability development at Singapore's Ministry of Home Affairs, said in the statement.

This is a significant milestone in the fight against the threat of cross-border cybercrime, and will give students a good foundation for their career in information security, Chiew added.

With help from Singapore's Infocomm Development Authority (IDA), various exercise scenarios conducted will enable students to learn the steps to react to security incidents, mitigate security risks, perform forensic analysis and analyze malware through reverse engineering.

Liew Chin Chuan, course manager of Singapore Polytechnic's DISM, also explained the center will go beyond traditional computer security teachings such as offensive, defensive and investigative skills. DISM's students will also be able to learn how to find vulnerabilities of the systems from an attackers' perspective and detect intrusion from the cyberdefender's perspective.

"We are an advocate of 'learning-by-doing' and we aim to create a realistic environment for [our] students to acquire the operational and tactical engagement skills in responding to cyber threats," Liew said.

This is not the first time Singapore Polytechnic and e-Cop have collaborated. In November 2011, both sides established a Cyberwatch Competency Center, where students and teachers will work with the security vendor on real-life cybersecurity projects.

Earlier this week, another country Israel launched a national program which recruits students aged 16 to 18 years old, and trains them to fend off online attacks from the country's enemies.