Boost for cyber security with Singtel's ASOC

Singapore

SINGAPORE Telecommunications (Singtel) on Wednesday moved a step closer to becoming the dominant regional cyber security provider when it formally launched its Advanced Security Operations Centre (ASOC) in Singapore.

The new ASOC has been built in partnership with Nasdaq-listed network security provider FireEye. It combines FireEye's cyber security expertise - especially in the area known as APT (Advanced Persistent Threats) - with Singtel's info-communications capabilities and extensive regional data and telecom infrastructure.

Speaking to The Business Times, Bill Chang, Singtel's CEO of Group Enterprise, said the ASOC provides organisations with the latest technology, expertise and intelligence to enhance their security protection against the rapidly growing threat of advanced attacks in the Asia Pacific region. APT refers to a sophisticated form of cyber attack in which a set of stealthy and continuous computer hacking processes target a specific network over a prolonged period of time.

The ASOC is the first facility of its kind to be integrated into Singtel's existing network operations centre. This gives cyber security experts end-to-end visibility of Internet traffic, corporate networks and user end-points, for a swift response to security incidents.

The ASOC has 50 security professionals locally and access to a global network of FireEye SOCs (security operations centres) and security experts trained in handling sophisticated cyber threats and forensics. Singtel-FireEye customers will have access to experts who provide "follow-the-sun" capability 24/7 to detect, protect against and respond to cyber threats. The ASOC is FireEye's first such centre in Asia.

Mr Chang noted that Singtel has been involved in cyber security for a number of years and has several partnerships in this area. "We are always on the lookout for partners since we are the leading telco in the region and we look to work with the best."

One such partnership is with Akamai to prevent what is known as DDoS (distributed denial of service) attacks that were very prevalent a couple of years ago and are still a major cyber threat. In this type of cyber attack, a website or network is targeted simultaneously by thousands of hijacked computers from around the world, in order to overwhelm the network's security and bring it down.

Mr Chang noted that cyber security is one of the fastest growing businesses for the telco and "will soon start to make a material contribution" to Singtel's bottom line.

"Our vision is to be the top cyber security player in the Asia Pacific region within three years and one of the top global players within five years," Mr Chang said.

He added that the ASOC will be a cornerstone of Singtel's cyber security capabilities. "Through our partnership with FireEye, Singtel will be able to provide the best-of-breed cyber security solutions and services for enterprises to better deal with these fast-evolving cyber threats."

David DeWalt, FireEye CEO and board chairman, said: "We are witnessing a new cyber arms race with nation-states and sophisticated criminal organisations operating with anonymity to breach almost any network at will. The economic growth and geographic proximity of Southeast Asia has made it one of the most active regions in the world for advanced cyber attacks.

"Together with Singtel, we can give our customers more visibility into these attacks and help keep their networks secure with what we believe are the best tools and expertise available."

Mr DeWalt added that Singapore has a strategic location for a number of reasons. "When you look at the countries around the world, somebody has to step up and lead as a safe haven for cyber domains. The USA has its issues, as does China and Russia.

"If you look at the next decade, who is going to be the epicentre of cyber space? It's Singapore in a lot of ways . . . If you look at the defence architecture of the country, people will want to put in investment here, and this can make Singapore the cyber epicentre of the world."

The Singtel-FireEye collaboration fits into the government's plan to set up an apex cyber security body, called the Cyber Security Agency (CSA), which will become operational from April 1.

Speaking at the launch of the ASOC on Wednesday, Minister for Communications and Information Yaacob Ibrahim noted that operation centres such as the Singtel-FireEye collaboration are a key part of the cyber security landscape. He added that Singtel and FireEye will work together with other stakeholders, like CSA, to boost Singapore's cyber security defence capabilities.

Mr Chang said Singtel "stands ready to support CSA as a key part of the ecosystem and as a key stakeholder for the cyber security vision of the country and region".

At the moment, Singtel is working out the protocols of engagement with CSA.

The Singtel official added that no single company can address the cyber security threat by itself. "It's all about partnerships between technology players, service providers and the government."

Mr Chang added that Singtel was in talks with its regional partners, such as Airtel in India and Telkomsel in Indonesia, who have shown a keen interest in an ASOC type of set-up in their countries. "We are having talks within the group regarding this. The idea is to do things in a cost-effective manner and tailor the services to market needs. We are looking at a hub- and-spoke kind of model, whereby mini-ASOC type of set-ups in the respective countries can hook into the main ASOC in Singapore."

Along with the ASOC in Singapore, Singtel and FireEye have set up a similar centre in Australia. It is likely to be officially inaugurated next week.