New cybersecurity centre to open in Singapore by year-end

NEW YORK-LISTED Honeywell Process Solutions (HPS) said it will set up a new industrial cybersecurity centre of excellence (COE) in Singapore - its first for the Asia-Pacific region - which is slated to be ready by the end of the year.

This will be done with the support of the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).

The centre intends to feature a state-of-the-art cybersecurity research and development (R&D) lab, an advanced training facility and a security operations centre that provides managed security services.

The lab will be used for proprietary R&D of new cybersecurity technologies and products, hands-on training and certifications, and testing and validation of industrial cybersecurity solutions.

It will enable rapid development and introduction of innovative cybersecurity solutions to regional and global markets.

The facility will also deliver managed industrial cybersecurity services to help users reduce the risk of security breaches and proactively improve their security posture. These include continuous security and performance monitoring and alerting, security asset management, and incident response with 24-hour specialist support throughout the year.

Fong Pin Fen, director for cities, infrastructure & industrial solutions at EDB, noted that this is part of Singapore's push towards advanced manufacturing and a digital economy.

"A key component of success in our efforts is cybersecurity. Critical systems will have to be protected and on this note, we are pleased to support Honeywell in the opening of its new Industrial Cyber Security COE, which will help the industry remain secure as it embarks on its digital transformation," she said.

The centre will be located at Honeywell's office in Changi Business Park.

Said Jeff Zindel, vice-president and general manager, Honeywell Industrial Cyber Security: "Honeywell's major investments in new industrial cybersecurity technologies, services, and advanced research - including this new centre of excellence in Singapore - will further strengthen our ability to secure and protect industrial assets, operations and people."

He added that the centre will provide a world-class innovation platform for smart industry, critical infrastructure protection and securing the Industrial Internet of Things in the Asia-Pacific region.

Besides this development, Honeywell is opening a similar facility in Dubai this year. Honeywell's first cybersecurity lab is based in Atlanta.