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SINGAPORE, 17 January 2008 – Temasek Polytechnic (TP) and IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced the establishment of the TP-IBM IT Security Centre. This alliance will meet the industry’s growing demand for IT security professionals to combat IT threats of the future. (Source: IDC's Global Information Security Workforce Study, 2006. URL: https://www.isc2.org/download/workforcestudy06.pdf.)
With a total investment of S$200,000 the new Centre is based on the IBM Information Security Framework. The Framework includes IBM’s portfolio of complete security solutions to provide integrated training on enterprise security. The framework includes best practices to help clients evaluate their current security programs and plan a comprehensive enterprise-wide security strategy that secures businesses.
The Centre will provide students from the Temasek Informatics and IT School with practical experience on the industry’s leading-edge security and privacy solutions. In addition, students will get opportunities to work with IBM’s IT security experts on client projects, leading to a ready pool of IT security-trained talent for Singapore and the region. The objective of the training is to equip students with a solid foundation in various aspects of security, including physical, personnel, application, identity and access management, threat mitigation, transaction and data integrity, privacy and governance. The alliance is also set to identify best practice processes and develop new security solutions.
In collaboration with TP, IBM will provide advice and assistance on the set up of its new Centre. IBM will also provide consultation and industry insights to help TP develop the curriculum, course synopsis, materials and case studies relevant for students of the Diploma in Cyber and Digital Security at the Temasek Informatics & IT School. Nearly 400 staff and students will be trained over the next five years by integrating IT security management programmes into the curriculum of their Diploma in Cyber & Digital Security. TP has about 120 students currently enrolled in its three-year Cyber and Digital Security course. The pioneer batch of students with the acquired IT Security skills is due to graduate in March 2009.
Mr Boo Kheng Hua, Principal & CEO of Temasek Polytechnic, said, “The TP-IBM collaboration extends beyond security products and technologies to include the training of our students and staff in project management, leadership methodology & processes, industry standards, and business modeling. This collaboration will help us to nurture IT security professionals who safeguard the information systems and applications of organisations and add value to them. It will help us realise Singapore’s vision of a connected society where IT enhances the quality of our lives.”
Teresa Lim, Managing Director, IBM Singapore, said, “IBM is committed in establishing long-standing relationships with institutions of higher learning and industry partners to ensure students are well equipped with the needs of the IT industry in the future. Through this collaboration students will get access to a set of innovative resources to help them expand their skill sets and to prepare them for a fulfilling career in the IT security field. Globalisation is forcing companies to adopt more collaborative business models as well as implement increasingly complex infrastructures. Only with the right security framework and professionals to implement the framework can businesses operate in a secure and trusted environment.
Support from Industry Partners
TP will also expose its students to real world, applied learning experiences through an internship program with IBM that is supported by Industry Partners including the Land Transport Authority (LTA) of Singapore. Students from TP will be attached to IBM for a minimum period of three months covering areas such as IT Security Audits and Controls, Incident Handling and Response, Threat Monitoring and Patch Management, Vulnerability Assessment and Handling, Security Risk Assessment and Log Review and Developing Security Standards and Guidelines.
Mrs Rosina Howe, Group Director for Innovation and InfoComm Technology with the Land Transport Authority said, "We are pleased to support Temasek Polytechnic and IBM in this program. IT security is critical to many of LTA's mission critical systems. The security landscape is constantly evolving and it is vital that we have highly trained security professionals who are competent in managing new threats and risks."
The internship program will enable the students to integrate all that they have learnt and put it into practice, giving them a head-start as they gain experience as security professionals.
“During my attachment at IBM, I’ve learnt new skills related to IT security and gained useful, real-world experience which I know will benefit me greatly in the future. This attachment has also given me the opportunity to apply the skills and knowledge I’ve learnt in my course on Cyber and Digital Security. The practical, hands-on industry exposure has made me more aware of the security challenges that companies face and the concerns they have,” said Chua Wenchuan, a second-year, Diploma in Cyber & Digital Security student at Temasek Informatics & IT School.
The pilot internship program started in October 2007 and has since received very welcomed and positive feedback from both the students and Industry Partners.
About IBM
For more information about IBM, visit http://www.ibm.com.
About Temasek Polytechnic
Temasek Polytechnic (TP) is a significant contributor to the field of para-professional education in Singapore. It is a pioneer in Problem-based Learning (PBL). The PBL concept forms the cornerstone of the Polytechnic's educational philosophy to prepare school-leavers adequately for the world of work and a future of dynamic change. The Polytechnic is a firm believer in forging partnerships with industry to keep students close to current industry practice. TP currently offers 45 full-time diploma courses in the areas of Applied Science, Business, Design, Engineering, Informatics & IT and Humanities & Social Sciences. It also offers over 30 part-time courses, up to the Advanced Diploma level.
For more information about TP, please visit www.tp.edu.sg.
For media queries, please contact:
Javan Ng, IBM Singapore
Direct: (65) 6418 1525
E-mail: ngkhj@sg.ibm.com
Vimala Christie, Temasek Polytechnic
Direct: (65) 6780 5019
E-mail: vimalac@tp.edu.sg
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