WELCOME SPEECH BY SMS TAN KIAT HOW AT CYBERSG INNOVATION DAY ON 14 NOV 2025

STRENGTHENING OUR CYBER RESILIENCE FOR THE FUTURE THROUGH RESEARCH AND INNOVATION

Distinguished guests,

Partners and colleagues

Introduction

1. Good afternoon. It is my pleasure to welcome all of you to today’s CyberSG Innovation Day.

2. Digital technology is an important engine of our economy and part of everyday life. However, it comes with a host of cyber threats, including disruption to our critical information infrastructure and essential services. Therefore, cyber security needs to go hand-in-hand with digitalisation.

3. In this fight to secure our cyberspace, the Government’s effort alone is not sufficient. We need to tap on the ideas and talents in the academic and private sectors. That was the objective when we launched CyberSG in 2023.

4. CyberSG brings together the spectrum of stakeholders to build cybersecurity capabilities for our national security, translate research into commercial solutions, and accelerate the growth of our local cybersecurity enterprises.

5. The Government has set aside S$110 million to grow the ecosystem through two key initiatives.

a. First, the CyberSG Research & Development Programme Office, in short CRPO, has been established in partnership with the Nanyang Technological University. It serves as a national platform to translate research prototypes into usable products and services for both national security agencies and the commercial industry.

b. Second, the CyberSG Talent, Innovation and Growth Collaboration Centre, in short the TIG Centre, has been established in partnership with National University of Singapore. It aims to develop skilled professionals, promote the development of innovative solutions, and support the growth of cybersecurity companies.

Broader Vision for Innovation Day

6. These initiatives have laid a strong foundation for collaboration between government, industry, and academia. Today’s CyberSG Innovation Day is one such platform where we see the fruits of this collaboration.

7. This year’s Innovation Day also marks a significant evolution in our journey. What was once an event traditionally focused on the launch of CyberCall, has now been expanded to cover the wider innovation value chain.

8. Our theme, “Next-Gen Cyber: Shaping the Future Through Research and Innovation,” encompasses Singapore’s broader cybersecurity ecosystem, from CRPO’s research to TIG Centre’s talent and growth initiatives. Innovation does not happen in isolation. It thrives when research, talent, and enterprise are seamlessly connected, working together to tackle the challenges faced by our nation’s cybersecurity ecosystem.

Achievements from CyberSG Initiatives

9. We are seeing promising and tangible progress.

10. To date, up to $40 million has been awarded across 22 research projects and one of which is PQStation, a spinoff from NTU.

a. PQStation advances the transition to quantum-safe cryptography through its suite of specialised tools, which is designed to future-proof IT infrastructure.

b. Currently, field trials are being conducted with 10 industry partners, including financial institutions and homeland security agencies.

11. TIG Centre has been supporting cybersecurity companies in their venture creation journey, resulting in approximately $37 million raised in investments collectively. Companies have also gained visibility across key overseas markets like the US.

12. Notably, the TIG Centre had led the first ever Singapore Pavilion at RSA Conference 2025, and also showcased 6 home-grown cybersecurity solutions. Additionally, the TIG Centre awarded 12 projects aimed at developing innovative solutions to address critical cybersecurity challenges from local end-users.

Building momentum – New Initiatives

13. These achievements are encouraging, but we must continue to push ahead. The pace of technological change and evolving threats demands that we continue to innovate and adapt to secure our future.

14. The next phase of our growth will focus on creating advanced tools to enhance research collaboration, while deepening community networks to accelerate market deployment.

15. For R&D, CRPO is taking the lead in creating this advanced innovation framework.

a. We will be launching the PROPEL-X platform, a joint initiative between CRPO and A*STAR I2R. This Gen-AI enabled coaching platform enables real-time collaboration of R&D projects between academia and industry partners.

b. Complementing this, CRPO will launch a white paper that draws on insights from past translational efforts. This paper will offer practical frameworks to guide researchers towards deployment-ready innovations.

16. The role of the TIG Centre will also evolve to play a greater role in shaping the next phase of Singapore’s innovation journey. The TIG Centre is launching CyberCall 2025 to spark the next wave of innovative cybersecurity solutions. This is TIG Centre’s flagship programme that provides cybersecurity companies with the opportunity to co-innovate with end-users and develop a product that addresses real-world use cases.

17. Beyond this, the TIG Centre will deepen community-building efforts, bringing together Venture Capitalists (VCs), Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) and cybersecurity solution providers.

18. I am pleased to see many of our key CISOs here today. I would also like to extend a special welcome to our international guests from NightDragon and Decibel Partners, who have travelled to Singapore for this event. I am glad that we are seeing VCs and CISOs joining the event. You play an important role in a vibrant cybersecurity ecosystem.

19. This strengthens Singapore’s position as a cybersecurity innovation hub and a landing pad for international companies looking to scale their operations across Asia. By fostering a vibrant and connected ecosystem, we attract global players to co-innovate with local enterprises and exchange best practices, contributing to Singapore’s rapidly growing digital economy.

20. Recently, Bain, Google and Temasek Holdings released the 10th edition of the e-Conomy SEA 2025 report, which noted that the digital economy of Southeast Asia was set to exceed $300 million, and would continue to grow rapidly. Countries are looking to harness technology to transform industries and seize new opportunities. As they do so, cybersecurity will be an important element, as digitalisation and cybersecurity must go hand-in-hand. There are many opportunities for global players, solution providers, and innovators to work together with our local ecosystem to develop solutions that address real-world needs in Singapore, and in the region.

21. Platforms like these bring together stakeholders from different parts of the ecosystem. We look forward to more of such collaborations.

Conclusion

20. However, realising our full potential requires the active participation of our entire community.

a. To our researchers, I call upon you to bring your research expertise to address Singapore’s most complex national challenges through the CRPO, and help turn innovative ideas into deployable solutions.

b. To the industry leaders and Chief Information Security Officers, I encourage you to bring your most challenging problems to the TIG Centre and actively open your organisations to piloting and adopting new solutions. Your willingness to embrace technology and innovation will drive our collective progress and ensure that it translates into real-world impact.

c. To the venture capitalists and entrepreneurs, I invite you to invest your capital and energy into turning these innovative local solutions into world-class, globally competitive businesses. Your support turns potential into reality.

21. Singapore 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. We look forward to working closely with like-minded partners.

22. I thank all of you for your participation and contributions, and wish you a wonderful and productive seminar. Thank you.