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Singapore and UK collaborating to address cyber threats

UK and Singapore-based researchers to collaborate on six new projects to address cyber threats

Photo credit: www.todayonline.com

Photo credit: www.todayonline.com

Joint Press Release

16 December 2015, 5.00pm (Singapore time)

Singapore and UK collaborating to address cyber threats

1 Six new joint research projects will see UK and Singapore-based researchers collaborating to develop new solutions that will enhance the resilience of systems and infrastructure to cyber attacks.

2 The UK’s Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and Singapore’s National Research Foundation today announced the results of a joint £2.4 million ($5.1 million) research call, which will fund the projects over the next three years.

3 As connected global hubs and open economies, cybersecurity is of great importance to the UK and Singapore. Recognising the importance of collaboration in this area, a Memorandum of Understanding on Cybersecurity was signed by the UK’s Cabinet Office and Singapore’s Cybersecurity Agency during Prime Minster David Cameron’s visit to Singapore in July 2015. This joint research programme implements the joint R&D collaboration element of the MoU and has been welcomed by both governments.

4 The Singapore-UK joint grant call, launched in May 2015, seeks to strengthen knowledge and capabilities in cyber security and foster closer collaboration in cybersecurity research between the researchers of both countries. The grant call closed in July 2015 with a total of 22 proposals received. All submitted proposals were evaluated jointly by cybersecurity experts of both countries. Six projects are awarded covering research areas in Intrusions, Data Analytics, Human Factors and Sector & Applications.

5 The projects that will be funded under this programme are:

• The University of Oxford and the National University of Singapore will work on Security and Privacy in Smart Grid Systems: Countermeasure and Formal Verification

• The University of Kent will work with the National University of Singapore on Vulnerability Discovery using Abduction and Interpolation

• The University of Surrey and Singapore Management University will work on Computational Modelling and Automatic Non-intrusive Detection Of Human Behavior-based Insecurity

• Imperial College and the National University of Singapore will work on Machine Learning, Robust Optimisation, and Verification: Creating Synergistic Capabilities in Cybersecurity Research

• Imperial College and Singapore University of Technology and Design will work on Security by Design for Interconnected Critical Infrastructures

• The University of Southampton and Nanyang Technological University will develop cyber security solutions for smart traffic control

For media queries or interviews, please contact:

Audrey LI (Ms) Senior Officer, Corporate Communications National Research Foundation, Prime Minister’s Office, Singapore DID: 6684 2914 Email: Audrey_Li@nrf.gov.sg

Benedict THAMBIAH (Mr) Communications Manager British High Commission, Singapore DID: 6424 4271 HP: 9003 7566 Email: benedict.thambiah@fco.gov.uk

Published 16 December 2015