Singapore takes steps to address cybersecurity talent shortage with Skills Pathway initiative

The initiative offers practical experiences and certifications to meet the growing demand for cybersecurity professionals

The Skills Pathway for Cybersecurity is designed as an employer-centric and industry-led initiative, addressing the immediate and long-term needs of Singapore’s cybersecurity ecosystem. “The Skills Pathway for Cybersecurity is a wholly employer-centric and industry-led initiative that NCS developed in collaboration with the Singapore Computer Society, SCS, and other founding employers, supported by the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) and the Association of Information Security Professionals (AiSP),” said Foo Siang-tse, Senior Partner of Cyber at NCS.

This not only enhances career opportunities but also strengthens the cybersecurity talent pool that organisations, government agencies, and vendors can rely on.

According to Foo, “[t]he Skills Pathway for Cybersecurity is just one of many initiatives that NCS is undertaking as part of our commitment to strengthening the tech talent pool in Singapore.” He emphasised that NCS’s broader talent development programmes, like NCS Fusion—a fully funded integrated work-study programme—are also contributing to this effort by providing multiple pathways for graduates to succeed in fields like infrastructure, software development, and cybersecurity.

Challenges in recruiting cybersecurity talent

Despite the positive strides, the shortage of cybersecurity talent remains a significant global challenge, and Singapore is no exception. “The shortage of cybersecurity talent is a global problem; it's not just a Singapore issue,” Foo stated. 

He said that despite the progress made by both the government and industry, an estimated gap of nearly 4,000 cybersecurity professionals still exists in Singapore—a figure that Foo suspects is an underestimate.

The crux of the issue lies in the growing demand for cybersecurity professionals outpacing supply. “The demand for cybersecurity talent is growing, not linearly, but at an exponential rate as organisations seek to strengthen digital resilience. Unfortunately, supply cannot keep up,” Foo noted. The unique demands of the cybersecurity field, where professionals must constantly defend against evolving threats, further exacerbate the talent shortage.

Whilst the profession offers dynamic opportunities and numerous specialisations, it is not without its challenges. “This asymmetry, coupled with the demands of long hours and continuous vigilance, makes the profession extremely challenging. Despite the challenges, the field offers dynamic opportunities and numerous specialisations, enabling professionals to become the unseen heroes of the digital world,” Foo said, emphasising the need for the Skills Pathway to help close the talent gap.

Addressing the impact of AI on cybersecurity talent

As artificial intelligence (AI) adoption accelerates, the demand for cybersecurity is expected to surge, placing further strain on the already scarce pool of talent. Foo underscored the critical nature of integrating AI innovation with digital resilience to drive scalable, secure, and sustainable growth. 

“The acceleration of AI adoption will exacerbate the cybersecurity talent shortage as it will generate tremendous demand for cybersecurity. AI innovation and digital resilience must go hand in hand for organisations to scale AI securely and sustainably,” Foo said.

He elaborated on the five key elements of digital business—cybersecurity, data governance, infrastructure scalability, application robustness, and operational responsiveness—highlighting the integral role cybersecurity professionals will play in each area. 

“We need to take a whole-of-industry approach to address this issue, as no single stakeholder can solve it. The Skills Pathway Initiative is a great step in the right direction as it is probably the first such cybersecurity programme that brings together government, the private sector, and the community,” Foo concluded.