As part of efforts to strengthen Singapore\u2019s cyber-security ecosystem, the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) on Nov 14 awarded more than $16 million to support 18 research and innovation projects in the field.<\/p>\n
Of these, 13 new research projects were awarded up to a total of $13.2 million under the Translation and Innovation Grant 2025, led by the CyberSG R&D Programme Office (CRPO).<\/p>\n
These projects have produced solutions that are currently undergoing various stages of research, testing and real-world implementation, in collaboration with businesses and government agencies, CSA said.<\/p>\n
Among the projects was AutoSOC, a collaboration between Nanyang Technological University and cyber-security firm Antarex.<\/p>\n
AutoSOC is an agentic artificial intelligence system \u2013 which can act autonomously to make decisions and perform tasks with little human intervention \u2013 designed for automated security operations centre applications.<\/p>\n
These projects will be incorporated into Propel-X, a new generative AI enabled coaching and collaboration platform, which connects academia and industry.<\/p>\n
Propel-X is a joint initiative between CRPO and the\u00a0A*Star\u00a0Institute for Infocomm Research.<\/p>\n
Another five cyber-security companies were collectively awarded about $3 million in funding under the Cybersecurity Call for Innovation (CyberCall) 2024, led by the CyberSG Talent, Innovation and Growth (TIG) Collaboration Centre.<\/p>\n
Among the five is Singapore-based Betterdata, which proposed the development of a model to generate synthetic data that can safeguard people\u2019s privacy, as well as the confidentiality of their data.<\/p>\n
CyberCall is CSA\u2019s annual challenge supporting the development of innovative cyber-security solutions. The awarding of the 18 projects was announced by Senior Minister of State for Digital Development and Information Tan Kiat How on Nov 14 at CyberSG Innovation Day 2025, held at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre.<\/p>\n
Mr Tan noted that since CRPO\u2019s establishment in 2023, up to $40 million in grants has been awarded to 22 research projects.<\/p>\n
These include projects in key research areas such as 5G and 6G telecommunications security, post-quantum cryptography and cyber security in critical information infrastructure.<\/p>\n
To complement the Propel-X platform, CRPO will launch a white paper that draws on insights from past efforts to translate research into practical applications, said Mr Tan, who is also Senior Minister of State for Health.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis paper will offer practical frameworks to guide researchers towards deployment-ready innovations,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe role of the TIG centre will also evolve to play a greater role in shaping the next phase of Singapore\u2019s innovation journey.\u201d<\/p>\n
Besides launching CyberCall 2025 to \u201cspark the next wave of innovative cyber-security solutions\u201d, Mr Tan said the centre will also deepen efforts to build a cyber-security community here, bringing together venture capitalists, chief information security officers and cyber-security solution providers.<\/p>\n
CyberCall 2025, which was launched on Nov 14 during the event, seeks proposals in areas such as cyber security for AI and privacy-enhancing technologies.<\/p>\n
In the user-driven category, companies are invited to address challenges posed by organisations such as the Home Team Science and Technology Agency, which is seeking the development of a secure information sharing platform that allows multiple agencies to collaborate on cryptocurrency investigations while maintaining operational security.<\/p>\n
The TIG centre is a $20 million joint initiative by NUS and\u00a0CSA, with the aim\u00a0of establishing\u00a0Singapore as a global cyber-security\u00a0innovation\u00a0hub.<\/p>\n ISTARI executive director Selwyn Scharnhorst moderating the fireside chat, comprising Night dragon managing director Morgan Kyauk and Decibel Partners founding partner Jon Sakoda, during CSA\u2019s CyberSG Innovation Day.<\/p>\n Photo: Brian Teo<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Realising the full potential of Singapore\u2019s cyber security requires the active participation of the entire community, said Mr Tan.<\/p>\n He called on researchers to use their expertise to address the Republic\u2019s \u201cmost complex national challenges\u201d via the CRPO, and asked industry leaders to take\u00a0their most challenging problems to the TIG centre and actively test and adopt new solutions.<\/p>\n \u201cYour willingness to embrace technology and innovation will drive our collective progress and ensure that it translates into real-world impact,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Mr Tan also invited venture capitalists and entrepreneurs to invest in turning \u201cinnovative local solutions into world-class, globally competitive businesses\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cSingapore aims to not just secure our cyberspace, but also develop a vibrant ecosystem that can contribute to solving real-world problems, and play a constructive role internationally,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Note: <\/i><\/b>This article was written by Zhaki Abdullah and first appeared in The Straits Times on 14 November 2025.<\/i><\/p>\n Source: The Straits Times<\/p>\n<\/div>\n