BT, a leading provider of global communications and security solutions, and Standard Chartered, a leading international banking group, today announced the launch of a new cyber security educational programme in Singapore. The Schools Cyber Security Challenges (SCSC), is a pilot initiative organised by the Tanglin Trust School (TTS) aimed at students between the age of 10 and 18. The programme aims to shape future generation of digitally savvy young people to develop and refine their cyber security skills and encourage them to explore a career in the rapidly growing industry.
The SCSC programme, designed to support in-class teaching, provides teachers with resources and an online platform that can be used as part of the existing information and communications technology (ICT) curriculum. “Increased connectivity has raised awareness of the risks associated with online activity; it is now a critical time to teach our students more about safe online navigation and the benefits of cyber security knowledge. The programme allows us to better equip our students to face real world issues and solve relevant cyber challenges,” said David Fourie, Assistant Head of Maths & Computer Science Faculty, TTS.
BT and Standard Chartered have been working with TTS since July 2020 to integrate the SCSC into its existing E-Safety curriculum. The programme has met with positive and supportive responses from both parents and students, with over 150 students participating in the courses to date.
James Hennah, Director of Security for Asia, Middle East and Africa, BT, said: “We are excited to bring our award-winning programme to Singapore. With its strong education system and digital infrastructure, Singapore will provide a perfect environment for the SCSC to thrive. We are working on expanding the programme with strong, localised modules and bring more local and international schools on board.”
“The COVID-19 pandemic has further accelerated our transition to a digital-first world. As a parent, I would feel safer if my child understands how to keep their information private, refrain from responding to strangers and to report anything unusual to a trusted adult while being exposed to the cyberspace. Partnering with BT on the SCSC pilot programme to equip our future generation with the necessary knowledge, critical skills and resources to keep themselves cyber safe is not just timely but the right thing to do for our communities,” said Yuval Illuz, Group Chief Information Security Officer & COO, Trust, Data & Resilience, Standard Chartered.
The programme currently offers five challenges on the topics of information privacy and security, web application security, data encryption and transmission, and wired and wireless network security.
The Challenges were first launched by BT in February 2019 with the Australian Computing Academy and several other partners in Australia. Within nine months, the programme had exceeded its two-year enrolment target and was introduced in Singapore in 2020.
BT and Standard Chartered Bank are working together to scale this pilot initiative and expand the programme to more schools in Singapore. The programme is aligned to BT’s Skills for Tomorrow initiative, geared at helping people make the most of life in the digital world, and Standard Chartered’s global initiative, Futuremakers, to help young people in our communities to learn, earn and grow.
Aleksander Straunik, Head of External Relations, Global.
