#WorkinginCSA: Growing Cyber Capabilities with the Ecosystem

1. Tell us more about your team’s work and your role as a Manager in Ecosystem Development Division (EDD).

Our division works across CSA and with other agencies to build a vibrant cybersecurity ecosystem of companies and talents in Singapore. This includes driving innovation in this fast-paced industry, anchoring companies with deep cybersecurity capabilities in Singapore, and creating a strong and high-quality local workforce.

In the Strategic Partnerships Office, we work closely with a select group of industry partners to build and sustain important cybersecurity capabilities locally. Our work often involves coordination between CSA divisions and our partners, where we facilitate management discussions, and jointly identify, resource, and develop capabilities that will benefit Singapore in the long run.

2. What inspired you to pursue a career in this field?

I was first introduced to the interesting world of cybersecurity during my time at the former Smart Nation and Digital Government Office (SNDGO), just before joining CSA. At that time, I was involved in national programmes aimed at promoting the use of artificial intelligence across various sectors, including cybersecurity. Through my work, I developed a deep appreciation for the critical role CSA plays in ensuring many of us can work and play safely in the digital space. That drove my decision to apply and work alongside our Singapore cyber defenders.

3. What has been your most memorable experience in CSA? Any interesting projects you were involved in?

Recently, we initiated a trial with our partners to conduct agile co-development – where we collaborate closely with external partners to build solutions incrementally. This means developing key features one at a time, based on frequent real-world feedback and making necessary adjustments along the way. It’s an interesting approach, especially since we’ve had to work more closely with external partners who bring their own unique experiences and approaches, such as different ways of managing projects and tackling problems.

To build trust and fully leverage the diverse skills within the joint teams, we worked to maintain a culture of openness and objectivity. This encourages everyone to voice their opinions, ensuring that ideas are considered based on their merits. While this process is challenging, the project is very meaningful to me because it has strengthened our relationships with our partners in ways which may not be achievable otherwise.

4. Have you had a mentor whose guidance helped shape your professional journey in CSA?

I see my reporting officer (RO) as my informal mentor, because I admire his frank, approachable and lead-by-example leadership style. He helps me improve in my work by encouraging me to develop my own views and arguments, providing timely constructive feedback, and guiding me in problem-solving.

One of his favourite lines to us (his team members) is simply, “so what do you think of this (matter)?”. This question challenges us to take a stance, which pushes us to engage more deeply in meetings, read widely, think critically and be prepared to substantiate our views. It is a small but great practice that exercise our minds, ultimately enhancing the quality of our work.

5. Tell us something about your job that not many people know about.

In our work, it is important to take a long-term perspective, as building and anchoring deep cybersecurity capabilities in Singapore requires significant time, effort and persistence. While everyone knows that “Rome wasn’t built in a day”, we often find ourselves distracted by immediate challenges and tempted to divert resources away from strategic capability-building. Much like saving for a rainy day, it demands consistent organisational discipline and collective will to build these capabilities gradually, alongside our partners, over time.

6. Outside of work, do you have any hobbies and interests?

Off work, I spend most of my time with my wife and daughter, visiting new places or trying new activities together. They help me refocus and recharge, as well as brighten up my life. Balancing work and family commitments can be challenging; however, I try to manage my time by blocking off a few hours in my weekday evenings to have dinner and spend time with my family.