Singapore is rolling out comprehensive cybersecurity training for about 500 board directors in 2025.
This is part of a wider nationwide initiative to strengthen corporate defenses against digital threats.
On Wednesday, the Singapore Institute of Directors (SID) announced the launch of a Cyber Resilience Guide for Boards, offering free training to its 5,300 members across the nation's 426,234 registered companies.
The initiative comes at a critical time, with the World Economic Forum reporting that 72% of organisations saw increased cyber risks in 2024.
"Cyber resilience is not just a technology issue – it is a critical governance and leadership responsibility," said SID chief executive Terence Quek, emphasizing the need for enhanced board-level competencies.
The 10-chapter guide, developed in collaboration with Temasek-founded Istari and Singtel's NCS, will be available Feb. 28. It received endorsement from the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) and outlines four tenets and an eight-step process to achieve cyber resilience.
Speaking at the Marina One launch event, senior minister of state for digital development and information Tan Kiat How addressed common misconceptions about cyber threats.
"Most of the time, although your company is probably not the target, you are very much collateral damage," he said, urging smaller companies to take cybersecurity seriously. "Keeping your house safe is also a contribution to keeping that estate safe."
The initiative coincides with Singapore's Total Defence season, marked by a memorandum of understanding between SID, Nexus, and Mindef. Over two weeks, more than 800 organizations will participate in simulated disruptions and preparedness activities to strengthen continuity plans for power disruptions and phishing attacks.
Training sessions will begin in March this year, with SID membership available from $763 for two years. The cyber resilience guide and related resources will be accessible at www.go.gov.sg/SGReadyGoWhere.
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