JOINT PRESS RELEASE
Singapore, 11 November 2024
CyberSG Talent, Innovation and Growth (TIG) Collaboration Centre launched the Cybersecurity Industry Call for Innovation (CyberCall) 2024 November edition
Up to S$4 million funding awarded to seven companies to boost cybersecurity resilience from CyberCall 2023
The CyberSG Talent, Innovation and Growth (TIG) Collaboration Centre (The Centre) launched the CyberCall 2024 (November edition) at the Cybersecurity Innovation Day 2024 held today at the Pan Pacific Hotel. The launch of CyberCall 2024 (November edition) was announced by Mr David Koh, Chief Executive, Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA).
First launched in 2018 by CSA, the CyberCall initiative helps catalyse the development of innovative cybersecurity solutions. It aims to enhance organisations' cyber resilience and provide opportunities for cybersecurity companies to contribute cutting-edge solutions. Each selected solution that fulfils the eligibility criteria may receive funding of up to S$1,000,000 under CSA’s Cybersecurity Co-Innovation and Development Fund (CCDF).
CyberCall 2024 Call for Proposals
Starting in 2024, CyberCall is held twice a year, with the first run launched in June 2024. Today’s launch marks the second run of CyberCall organised by The Centre, a joint initiative between the National University of Singapore (NUS) and CSA. The Centre, which officially opened in July 2024, aims to establish Singapore as the premier global cybersecurity innovation hub by uplifting talent, innovation, and growth programmes.
The CyberCall consists of two categories: Open Call category and User Driven category.
Open Call Category: The open call category of CyberCall 2024 (November edition) is seeking proposals in these focus areas: Cybersecurity for Artificial Intelligence (AI); Using AI for cybersecurity; Quantum Safe; Operational Technology (OT) or Internet of Things (IoT) security; Cloud security; and Privacy-Enhancing Technologies (PET).
Please refer to Annexe A for more information.
User Driven Challenge Statements: In addition, companies are invited to address user driven challenge statements provided by corporate end-users YTL PowerSeraya and Panasonic. The aim is to leverage the latest AI technologies to improve the efficacy of cybersecurity solutions in sectors using OT such as manufacturing and energy.
The challenge statements are:
- To develop an AI module that seamlessly amalgamates with current Privileged Access Management (PAM) systems, enabling the scrutiny of PAM session recordings to pinpoint irregularities in user behaviour. The analysis of screen recordings is now conducted manually, and therefore tedious and time-consuming.
- To employ AI to ascertain the sensitivity of data contingent on context, as opposed to predefined rules, through the use of Data Security Incident Management which requires a tool that autonomously identifies and safeguards data instantaneously.
- To incorporate Generative AI into Cybersecurity Incident Management in OT/IoT in developing a cyber security incident response utility employing Generative AI to synthesise the incident details, carry out an impact assessment, offer remediation strategies, and compile a report summary.
The closing date for submission is 10 January 2025 and more information on the CyberCall, including the latest challenge statements can be found at https://cybercall.sg/.
Seven proposals selected from CyberCall 2023
At the event today, The Centre also announced the results of CyberCall 2023. Companies from Singapore and countries such as New Zealand and the United Kingdom submitted proposals, and seven cybersecurity companies were awarded up to a total of S$4 million funding. This follows a rigorous evaluation process that involves expert panel evaluation based on criteria such as the quality of the proposed solution, its wider applicability and benefits, and team competency.
These proposals targeted cybersecurity in emerging technologies like AI, Quantum Safe Security, Cloud Security and IoT security. Please refer to Annexe B for more information and the full list of awardees.
Quotes from Mr Christopher Chen, Executive Director, The Centre, and CyberCall 2023 awardees can be found in Annexe C.
Annexe A – Focus Areas for CyberCall 2024 (November edition)
CyberCall 2024 (November edition) is seeking proposals in these focus areas:
1. Cybersecurity for AI
To safeguard AI systems and maintain the integrity, confidentiality, trustworthiness and reliability of AI applications in an increasingly connected and digital world.
2. AI for Cybersecurity
To harness the power of AI to strengthen organisations’ cyber defences in protecting their systems, data and networks; improving threat detection, and responding more effectively to cyber-attacks.
3. Quantum Safe
To protect critical digital systems, data, and infrastructure from the potential threat of cryptographically relevant quantum computers by transitioning to quantum-resistant solutions and enabling cryptographic agility and defence-in-depth.
4. Operational Technology (OT) / Internet of Things (IoT) Security
To safeguard critical infrastructure, Industrial Control Systems (ICS) and internet-connected devices from cyber threats and vulnerabilities.
5. Cloud Security
To safeguard infrastructure, data and applications hosted in cloud environments, while maintaining the confidentiality, integrity and availability of resources in the cloud.
6. Privacy-Enhancing Technologies (PET)
To safeguard the privacy of individuals and confidentiality of their data while using systems and digital services, thereby empowering individuals to manage their data securely and complying with privacy regulations.
Annexe B – CyberCall 2023 Awardees
1. Cloudsine
Company Description: Cloudsine is a trusted innovator of cybersecurity products and serves enterprise customers across eight different countries. Their flagship offering, the WebOrion® stack, includes a Web Application Firewall, a patented 24/7 defacement monitor, and a one-click web restoration solution. Cloudsine’s mission is to revolutionise the way organisations defend their digital assets. Moving forward, they aim to continue to empower organisations to stay ahead of emerging threats in web, IoT and AI.
CyberCall 2023 Challenge Statement: A simple way to protect Internet Protocol (IP) based cameras and Network Video Recorder (NVR)s from being hacked.
CyberCall 2023 Solution: The solution creates an easy-to-install firewall that checks video data traffic, connects it with local computing devices, sets specific security rules for IP cameras, and uses an AI helper to improve rulemaking, filling in the shortcomings of traditional web security tools.
2. Ensign Infosecurity
Company Description: Ensign Infosecurity, one of Asia’s largest comprehensive cybersecurity service providers, offers tailored solutions to meet clients’ cybersecurity needs. Headquartered in Singapore, Ensign specialises in advisory, assurance, architecture design, systems integration, and managed security services, including advanced threat detection, threat hunting, and incident response. With two decades of proven experience and in-house R&D, Ensign serves both public and private sector clients across the Asia Pacific region.
CyberCall 2023 Challenge Statement: Develop a solution for easy governance of Identity & Access Management (IAM) permissions automatically across multiple cloud service providers.
CyberCall 2023 Solution: The solution combines security monitoring, user behaviour analysis, and permission tracking into one streamlined platform. It minimises false alerts, works across multiple cloud systems, and proactively checks permissions to prevent risks, using advanced data analysis and AI for thorough threat detection and management.
3. MetaTrust
Company Description: MetaTrust is an AI-powered blockchain security company that specialises in smart contract audits and risk management for decentralised applications (DApps) and DeFi protocols. They offer end-to-end security solutions, ensuring that blockchain projects identify vulnerabilities, improve safety, and protect user assets from potential threats.
CyberCall 2023 Challenge Statement: Open Category1
CyberCall 2023 Solution: A security AI Copilot assistant that manages the entire vulnerability lifecycle, from detection and pinpointing to repair.
4. pQCee
Company Description: pQCee designs and builds post-quantum products and solutions to strengthen and protect the next generation of computing against quantum attacks.
CyberCall 2023 Challenge Statement: Open Category
CyberCall 2023 Solution: The Quantum-Safe Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) offers tools to help gradually move systems and data to a secure state against quantum threats. It also includes a set of well-designed and tested procedures to guide organisations through the transition process confidently.
5. ST Engineering (Info-Security)
Company Description: ST Engineering Cybersecurity offers robust protection for IT, OT, and cloud environments. Utilising advanced technology, many of their products feature AI enhancements. They empower organisations to safeguard critical assets and data, enabling them to stay ahead of evolving cyber threats. With their comprehensive solutions, users can build lasting cyber resilience to effectively manage and mitigate risks in today’s digital landscape.
CyberCall 2023 Challenge Statement: Open Category
CyberCall 2023 Solution: The solution improves quantum-safe key delivery by using Post Quantum Cryptography (PQC) Transport Layer Security (TLS), utilising existing infrastructure to address Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) limitations, support large-scale device enrolment, and ensure strong, flexible cryptographic key management against future quantum threats.
6. ST Engineering IHQ
Company Description: ST Engineering is a global technology and engineering group, harnessing technology and innovation to enable a more secure and sustainable world. It comprises of diverse business clusters in Commercial Aerospace, Smart City & Digital Solutions, as well as Public Safety and Security. By collaborating with research partners, ST Engineering drives technological innovation and impactful translational research for evolving market needs.
CyberCall 2023 Challenge Statement: Open Category
CyberCall 2023 Solution: An AI forensic system that uses multiple sources and signals to evaluate the reliability of online content by identifying false information in multimedia.
7. Veracity Trust Network
Company Description: Veracity Trust Network uses behavioural analysis AI to protect websites, web apps, mobile apps, and digital ads from malicious bots masquerading as human visitors. With its APAC office base here in Singapore, its patent pending, machine-learning platform – abbi™ – sits Beyond the Edge™ to utilise real-time behavioural analysis to detect and block even the most complex bots in any environment.
CyberCall 2023 Challenge Statement: Create a machine learning model to accurately identify harmful bot traffic in event data while following privacy rules in e-commerce.
CyberCall 2023 Solution: A machine learning model that swiftly and accurately detects bot traffic in event data, adhering to privacy standards in e-commerce, and adaptable for various industries and regions.
Annexe C – Quotes
Mr Christopher Chen, Executive Director, The Centre
“Cyber adversaries hold an unfair advantage, outpacing defenders with greater resources and time. CyberCall helps level the playing field by uniting public and private sector expertise to tackle real-world challenges and accelerate viable cybersecurity solutions. Singapore is the ideal hub for this initiative because through collaboration, we enable the best solutions and technologies to be deployed quickly. CyberCall also allows us to collaborate globally in securing our digital future.”
CyberCall 2023 Awardees
1. Matthias Chin, Founder and CEO, Cloudsine
“The CyberCall has given us better insights into customers’ pain points related to IoT security and challenged us to think outside the box, especially using Gen AI. Going through the stringent evaluation and development process has also validated our company’s ability to innovate and positioned us for better growth opportunities for the future.”
2. Tan Teik Guan, Co-founder and CEO, pQCee
“Evolving technologies like AI and quantum have made the cyber threat landscape more complex. It is thus important for organisations to future-proof their systems and make sure they are quantum-safe. The CyberCall enables us to transform our innovative ideas into actual products more quickly, and this ultimately helps more organisations to stay secure and protect their critical systems against quantum threats.”
