Strengthening SingAREN’s Cyber Resilience Journey: Achieving Cyber Trust mark – Tier 3 (Promoter) Certification

3 Jun 2025 – SingAREN is proud to be recognised under the Cyber Trust mark programme, a tiered cybersecurity certification framework introduced by the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA). This certification marks a significant step forward in our ongoing efforts to protect digital infrastructure and foster trust across our stakeholder community.

 A Milestone Achievement

On 16 May 2025, SingAREN was officially awarded the Cyber Trust mark (CTM) – Tier 3 (Promoter) certificate by our accredited auditor, Guardian Independent Certification Pte Ltd (GICG), during a presentation ceremony. The occasion was made even more meaningful by the presence of key stakeholders, including our cybersecurity consultant – CyberSafe Pte Ltd, and representatives from Cyber Security Agency (CSA) of Singapore, the creator of the SG Cyber Safe programme.

Being recognised at Tier 3 (Promoter) demonstrates that SingAREN has moved beyond basic cyber hygiene. It signals that we:

• Take proactive steps to manage cyber risks
• Invest in people, processes, and technology to enhance cyber posture
• Promote cybersecurity awareness and standards across our ecosystem

As Singapore’s national research and education network, SingAREN’s certification strengthens its position as a trusted partner in the global research ecosystem and provides a competitive edge in securing collaborations and funding. A/Prof Francis Lee, Vice President of SingAREN commented, “Achieving Tier 3 (Promoter) in the Cyber Trust mark framework is a significant milestone. It reflects our deep commitment to cyber resilience and strengthening cybersecurity at every level of our operations.”

To gain deeper insights into our assessment process, we spoke with Mr Baljit Singh from GICG, our accredited auditor. His remarks provide a valuable perspective on SingAREN’s cybersecurity readiness:

“Stage 1 and Stage 2 assessments conducted by GICG’s auditors found SingAREN’s cybersecurity measures to be practical and effective in meeting the requirements of Cyber Trust mark (2022) – Promoter Tier to be recommended for certification.”

When asked about standout practices, he added:

“SingAREN incorporated a multi-faceted approach by using organisational, people, technological, and physical controls to fortify its cybersecurity posture. From raising the competency of its staff through annual awareness training, to hardening its endpoints using industry recognised frameworks, and to establishing an incident response plan, SingAREN had a well-balanced approach to people, processes, and technology.”

In terms of relevance to the research and education sector, Baljit noted:

“Research and education organisations handle vast amounts of sensitive data, which may include participants’ records, research findings, and critical intellectual properties. A cybersecurity incident can lead to severe consequences, such as identity theft, financial fraud, and damage to the institution’s reputation. By going through the Cyber Trust mark certification process, research and education organisations can understand their risk profiles and identify relevant cybersecurity preparedness areas required to mitigate these risks. The Cyber Trust mark serves as a mark of distinction for organisations to attest that they have put in place good cybersecurity practices and measures to mitigate cyber risks.”

SingAREN’s journey toward certification was made possible with the support of CyberSafe. CEO of CyberSafe, Mr Dave Gurbani shared his thoughts on what made SingAREN’s approach effective:

“One of the standout aspects of SingAREN’s approach was SingAREN team’s clear alignment between governance and operational cybersecurity practices. SingAREN’s readiness to not only adopt technical controls but also embed them into daily operations, such as conducting regular risk reviews, maintaining strong internal accountability, and engaging stakeholders across departments, reflects a mature and forward-thinking cybersecurity posture.”

He further emphasised the broader significance:

“SingAREN’s achievement is more than just a mark of compliance; it’s a beacon for the wider research and education community in Singapore and beyond. It shows that even highly interconnected and research-intensive environments can operationalize strong cybersecurity practices without compromising agility. Your certification sends a clear message: cybersecurity excellence and trustworthiness are achievable and necessary at all levels of digital infrastructure.”

 

Looking Ahead: Expanding Cyber Trust

In line with CSA’s recent announcement¹ on the expansion of the SG Cyber Safe certification framework to include Cloud Security, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Operational Technology (OT), SingAREN is actively preparing to align with these domains as part of our long-term cybersecurity roadmap.

To understand how these enhancements will shape the future of the Cyber Trust mark and its impact on organisations like SingAREN, we reached out to Ms Veronica Tan, Director at CSA, for her insights.

“Cybersecurity certification, such as CSA’s Cyber Trust mark, empowers research entities to demonstrate their commitment to excellence, resilience, and responsible innovation amid increasing digitalisation risks.

As Singapore’s digital economy advances, we envision that the SG Cyber Safe programme will continue to evolve to support organisations in building cyber resilience. We have expanded Cyber Essentials and Cyber Trust to address the complex risks and requirements of emerging technologies such as AI, helping organisations strengthen their cybersecurity capabilities. This national initiative not only will continue to uplift cyber resilience but also strengthen Singapore’s position as a secure and trusted hub for digital innovation.”

This recognition is not the end, but a launchpad for continuous improvement. SingAREN remains committed to advancing toward higher tiers of cybersecurity readiness and contributing to a trusted and secure digital research environment.

SingAREN would like to extend our sincere appreciation to:

• • CyberSafe, for their expert guidance and partnership
  • GICG, for their professional and insightful certification process
  • CSA, for spearheading Singapore’s national Cyber Trust framework

 

Reference:

1. CSA Press Release – Cyber Essentials and Cyber Trust Marks Expanded