Cyber security experts have given the thumbs-up to a recommendation by the Committee on the Future Economy (CFE) to use national service to train army personnel in cyber security skills to prepare for the digital future.

They said the approach takes a leaf from Israel’s book, with a potential to develop Singapore’s own cyber security start-ups to plug talent gaps and defend the country against cyber attacks.

The 30-member committee released its report on Thursday after a year of consulting 9,000 stakeholders – including trade associations, public agencies and companies – on ways to grow and protect Singapore’s economy.

… Mr Benjamin Ang, coordinator of the Cybersecurity Programme at the Centre of Excellence for National Security at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, said: “Singapore should learn from those that have successfully used their national service programmes to develop young talent.”