Choosing an Infocomm Security Diploma Course

Diploma Course
Studying for an infocomm security diploma is a significant investment of your time, money and resources. It is better to understand the value that you would be able to generate with the course. A common concern seen among students is the choice between Infocomm Security Management versus  IT security centric (network security or forensics focused) diploma courses. There is no one fit solution for all students. You have to consider various factors before selecting one over the other including their track records.

Background
The background of a student plays the most important role in choosing the diploma course. For example, students with interests and strong foundation in networking would naturally choose network security related diploma course. But many students who just completed their GCE “O” level may not have yet to realise their area of interest and may not be able to decide on which course to choose. For those students who are interested in IT security, it is advisable to build their foundations before they move on to specialise in a specific IT security field.

Holistic Education
SP's holistic education equips students with a total skill set, consisting of technical skills, knowledge skills and soft skills. This is done through our unique scenario-based training in DISM which will develop critical thinking skills of students and help them to become a life-long learner. The general education (GenEd) emphasises the cultivation of life-skills such as teamwork, resilience, problem-solving and decision-making. The education and career guidance (ECG) provides a structured and comprehensive system to help you make better and informed education and career choices in school and beyond graduation.

Broad-based Curriculum
The Curriculum plays a major role in the learning process. DISM focuses on three main skill sets: Offensive, Defensive and Investigative. The first year include the general curriculum where students establish the fundamentals of information technology that includes computer architecture and operating system, networking fundamentals, linux administration, etc.

The second year has more security related modules such as Ethical Hacking and Defences, Applied Cryptography, Digital Forensics and Investigation, Programming in Python and C, etc. Third year is the most crucial year when you put all the skills and knowledge together to do your final year project plus some modules including Malware Reverse Engineering and Security Policy & Incident Management.

Career Goals
The essays and Interviews would have forced you to think about your career goals in detail. When you are being asked about your career aspiration, you would be expected to think of something related to your long-term and short-term career goals, as well as objectives, based on your career path planning. It is very important for one to plan ahead. If you choose a diploma course that is too specific (such as network security or forensics centric) at the early stage, you have to consider the job prospects and opportunities. In other words, your choice of jobs will be limited.

In Singapore, almost all IT security related jobs require the practitioners to be multi-skilled, that is, the ability to perform multiple IT security related tasks in a single job. So it means that DISM's broad-based training gives you the competitive edge you need to secure a job.

Post-Diploma Options 
Diploma holders have many pathways. The common belief among students is that one should go for a bachelor degree in a University. However, the degree route may not be the immediate choice to some of the diploma graduates due to factors such as financial and other constraints. One of the post-diploma options is to enrol into an Earn and Learn Programme (ELP).

Under the SkillsFuture, the Earn and Learn Programme (ELP) in Cyber Security is one of the many options that DISM students can consider. It is a work-study programme that provides student on-the-job training while studying for a Specialist Diploma in Cyber Security, that equips participants with advanced skillsets in Penetration Testing, Incident Response and Forensics Investigation. Singapore Polytechnic is the programme manager appointed by the relevant authorities to run the Specialist Diploma in Cyber Security (ELP).

So, which course? 
Consider your interest, your academic strengths, post-diploma options, your desired career, and the diploma course that would help you reach your career goals.

Choose Diploma in Infocomm Security Management (DISM) S54.

Singapore Polytechnic Open House 2017

Vibrant Life@SP (CCA)

With close to 120 clubs and counting, SP has a wide array of CCAs that can help you master anything from makeup artistry and guitar-playing, to martial arts and even sign language.

 

Yes, sign language! If you can’t find a CCA to suit yourself, never fear! Start a brand new club of your own and bond with like-minded people at your side.

 

 

 

Find out more at the CCA website.

Scholarships and Financial Assistance

One of the important factors in considering which diploma course to select is the financial support. At SP, we understand your needs and we make education as affordable as we can.

Outstanding students in SP get selected for the SP Scholars Programme to challenge, develop and maximise their personal, intellectual and leadership potential. They also get to take part in the SP Outstanding Talent (SPOT) programme which invokes them in global current affairs and grooms them into a new generation of thinkers and leaders. On top of it, SP scholars also receive full tuition fee sponsorship and one-time laptop subsidy!

 Visit our SP website to know more about the Scholarships.

Visit our SP website to know more about the Financial Assistance Scheme.

For potential DISM students, you can also consider to apply for the following scholarships: 

• Singtel Cadet Scholarship
• SP Scholarship
• iPoly Scholarship
• DSO Diploma Scholarship
• CSIT Diploma Scholarship
• National Infocomm Scholarship

What you need to know about Diploma in Infocomm Security Managemet (DISM, S54)

Diploma Course
Studying for an IT security-related diploma is a significant investment of your time, money and resources. It is better to understand the value that you would be able to generate with the course. The information provided here is to help all students to make the correct decision.

Key Points about DISM
Below are the three key points about DISM course.

1. Broad-based Curriculum
The Curriculum plays a major role in the learning process. DISM focuses on three main skill sets: Offensive, Defensive and Investigative.

The first year include the general curriculum where students establish the fundamentals of information technology that includes computer architecture and operating system, networking fundamentals, linux administration, etc. The second year has more security related modules such as Ethical Hacking and Defences, Applied Cryptography, Digital Forensics & Investigation, etc. Third year is the most crucial year when you put all the skills and knowledge together to do your final year project plus some modules.

2. Lots of Stress
It can be quite stressful during term time as students are required to go through the curriculum and meeting all the assessment requirements of modules.

3. Lots of Programming Assignments 
The misconception students have is that they assume that the course has minimal programming requirements. In actual fact, programming knowledge and skills are very important in this course. As such, students need to prepare themselves and have the correct expectations before they begin to feel the pressure of the requirements from the modules' assignments, especially to those who did not like programming modules.

So, which course? 
Consider your interest, your academic strengths, your desired career, and the diploma course that would help you reach your aims and career goals.

Best IT SECURITY diploma course

At SP, we provide you with the best IT SECURITY diploma course. See the reasons below:

1) State-of-the-art learning spaces (Cyber Wargame Centre, CWC).
2) Experienced, skilled and caring lecturers.
3) Current and relevant curriculum with holistic education.
4) Unleashed your potentials through wargaming.
5) Ready for work, life and world.
6) Improve your employability and market value.
7) Two qualifications await you: both academic and professional certifications.
8) Yes, DISM (S54) is the right choice for you. The fast track to IT security career/education.

Most importantly, we have proven track records and high cohort success rate for students who choose to proceed to study with local/overseas universities. If you need more information, come to Singapore Polytechnic Open House 2017.

FIVE (5) Things You Probably Didn't Know About Our Course (DISM)

1. DISM is different from secondary school because …
Unlike a typical classroom lesson, lessons here are pretty much hands on! At DISM, we train you to combat cyber crime by putting you through different scenarios of cyber crime. Each scenario has its own set of challenges and you will have to adopt different strategies to solve them. We also have a league competition where students pit their skills against one another and are awarded points on completion of each scenario. Apart from winning points, students often feel a great sense of achievement once they have conquered a scenario!

2. A lot of your time will be spent in …
The Cyber Wargame Centre! As the name suggests, it is literally a game of war in cyberspace. During lessons, you will be given cyber crime scenarios to tackle. In every scenario, there will always be the good guys (defenders), the bad guys (attackers) and the cops (investigators). You will play any one of these roles and will attempt to penetrate enemy defences, defend yourself against intruders, or be the detective to find out how and why the cyber crime took place.

3. A lot of your time will be spent on …
Finding security vulnerabilities! This is where you start looking for loopholes in computer systems - both your own and others. Once you have discovered these loopholes, you’ll then have to figure out how to “patch” these holes up. In the professional world, companies often conduct security assessments to test the strength of their security network and to plug any gaps that they might find.

4. The fun thing about DISM is …
You’ll get to play the role of cyber cop! By playing detective, you’ll enter a cyber crime situation to find out how and why the crime could have happened. Once you have found the answers, you will then be able to advise people on how to prevent similar situations from happening.

5. To do well in this profession, you must be able to…
Work in a group and under stress! You will often be working in a team to stop cybercrime, so your ability to communicate with your teammates could determine the success or failure of the mission. Also, cybercrimes must be stopped quickly. It is therefore important that you work quickly and not lose focus!

Guided tour at Security Operations Centre

Dear Students 

Cyber Security as a Career

with a guided tour at Security Operations Centre
Wednesday, 21 December 2016, 3.30pm
ST Electronics  Jurong East Building

 

Join us at this highly interactive session where you will gain insights on the Cyber Security job opportunities designed for professionals. The speakers will be highlighting the critical skills and competencies needed for this highly sought-after profession in Cyber Security.  

 

As seats are limited, do register HERE for this exclusive knowledge sharing session organised by the Infocomm Security SIG.

    

Please contact Serene or Camilla at 6226 2567 x 11 or 13 should you require further information.

 

Regards

Infocomm Security SIG
Singapore Computer Society 
www.scs.org.sg

Singtel's Advanced Security Operations Center

DISM Students get a rare chance to visit Singtel's Advanced Security Ops Center (ASOC).

Due to the sensitive nature of ASOCs, no photos were allowed beyond the briefing session. But it sure was an eye-opening, informative session for the students!

Singapore International Cyber Week - GovWare Oct 2016

DISM students were involved in this year's inaugural Singapore International Cyber Week (SICW) held from 10 to 12 Oct 2016.

Our DISM students demonstrated their final year project to Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister for Communications and Information.

 A few students took part in the 7th Singapore Cyber Conquest.



DISM Award Day cum FYP Presentations

Today, students with outstanding records were awarded the much coveted DISM Silver and Bronze collar pins, along with various certifications during our annual DISM Award Day.

After that, students shared a quick peek into their FYP presentations before inviting the audience for a demo in our CWC T2031 and T2032.

More photos can be found here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ixyi9ol69kvkinu/AACn8_87AwAugLwL0u7G1xNXa?dl=0


Or visit our DISM Facebook page!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/spdism/

Dialogue with Mr Aubeck Kam, Permanent Secretary MOM, MCI

On the afternoon of 3rd Aug 2016, 145 of our Year 1 and Year 2 DISM students had a rare chance to dialogue with Mr Aubeck Kam, Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Manpower and Ministry of Communications and Information. There was an interesting sharing of thoughts and ideas as they dialogued on issues along the theme for the day, "Cyber Security for the Nation".

Public service officers need to innovate to help Singapore progress: Teo Chee Hean

At the Public Service Commission (PSC) Scholarships Award ceremony, Minister-in-Charge of the civil service Teo Chee Hean, shared that public service officers need to do things differently to help Singapore progress.

The news clip also featured SP’s Diploma in Infocomm Security Management graduate and Institutional Medallist from the Class of 2016 Daniel Ho, as one of the 73 scholarship recipients this year.

Daniel shared that his goal is to educate others on how to protect themselves from cyber exploitation. During his time in SP, Daniel took up a community involvement project in Nepal, where he experienced the kindness and empathy exhibited by the locals.

The unique experience brought him out of his shell and sparked his desire to serve the community.

Source: Channel News Asia

Current Commissioner of Prisons to be appointed as SP Principal/CEO on Oct 1 - The StraitsTimes

Current Commissioner of Prisons Mr Soh Wai Wah will be appointed as the Principal and Chief Executive Officer of SP with effect from 1 October.

A 34-year Home Team veteran who began his career in the Singapore Police Force, Mr Soh assumed the post of Commissioner in 2010.

Under his watch, he led the significant enhancement of the Singapore Prison Service's (SPS) capabilities and effectiveness, MHA said.

Source: straitstimes.com
For more information, please visit this URL.

CEOs for stat boards to boost lifelong learning announced - The Straits Times

Current SP Principal and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mr Tan Choon Shian will become the CEO for the new statutory board, Workforce Singapore (WSG) from 1 Aug.

WSG is under the Ministry of Manpower and is part of the government’s efforts to enhance the competitiveness of Singaporeans in the long term.

Source: straitstimes.com.
For more information, please visit this URL.

Polytechnics cast wider net for students - asia.com.sg

POLYTECHNICS are expecting more students to apply via the new Early Admissions Exercise (EAE), which allows them to secure places in diploma programmes through course-specific talents and interests rather than just academic grades.

A higher proportion of polytechnic places has been set aside for these students next year under the EAE, which begins taking in applications today.

Polytechnics said a range of education and career guidance activities, such as talks and programmes in schools as well as seminars for parents, may have contributed to the strong interest.

The EAE, which gives polytechnics greater flexibility to choose students on criteria other than the O-level examination results, can admit up to 12.5 per cent of the intake.

For more details, please visit this URL.


For SP's Early Admission Exercise, please visit this URL.

Cyber Defenders Discovery Camp (CDDC) 2016

6 Jun 2016. Four DISM Year-3 students (Tan Yee Tat, Chan Wei Ling, Samuel Wee Wen Xuan and Wong Chong Peng, aka team “Y”) won the second place in the cyber security competition under the Universities/Polytechnics category on the last day of the 4th Cyber Defenders Discovery Camp (CDDC) 2016 organised by Defence Science & Technology Agency (DSTA). The first and third places were won by teams from universities.

The event was held at the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) and spanned over four days (from 1-3 and 6 June), during which students from the IHLs, junior colleges and Integrated Programme schools learnt about cybersecurity from the DSTA cyber defence professionals. There were a total of 400 students participated in this event.

At the awards ceremony yesterday, the Guest of Honour, Mr. Chan Yeng Kit, Permanent Secretary (Defence) presented the award to Team “Y” (see the picture below). Team “Y” also walked away with the cash prize of four thousand dollars.

 

 

Once again, congratulation to Team “Y”!!!

ThinkSECURE's OSWA Certification Examination

Congratulations to the nineteen DISM students passed the ThinkSECURE's Organizational Systems Wireless Auditor® (OSWA) Certification Examination conducted during the Mar/Apr 2016 vacation!

1. Chan Wei Ling
2. Darren Neo
3. Gerard Tan
4. Joseph Fun
5. Kenneth Kan
6. Kwek Chu Han
7. Lance Fu
8. Lee Bo Qiang
9. Lee Tze Ting
10. Lim Hwee Chye
11. Marcus Tan
12. Mohamad Darryl
13. Muhammad Hafiz
14. Samuel Wee
15. Siak Hui Mun
16. Sim Chun Hoe
17. Tan Yee Tat
18. Wu Chujun
19. Yew Jing Hui

ThinkSECURE's OSSA Certification Examination

Ten DISM students passed the ThinkSECURE's Organizational Systems Security Analyst® (OSSA) Certification Examination conducted during the Mar/Apr 2016 vacation. Congratulations to them!

1. Jeremy Li
2. Jerome Lim
3. Kenneth Kan
4. Koh Si Xing
5. Kuah Wei Liang
6. Lim Jia Yan
7. Muhammad Hafiz
8. Ong Tiong Poh
9. Poh Xiang Bin
10. Tay Chin Heng

Home Team Diploma and ITE Sponsorship Awards Ceremony 2016

On 28 May 2016, The Home Team organized an event entitled "Home Team Diploma and ITE Sponsorship Awards Ceremony". The Guest-of-Honour, was Mr Desmond Lee, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of National Development.

"The Home Team emphasizes the training and development of each and every one of our officers. Receiving this award is just the first step. On graduation, you should look forward to fulfilling and rewarding careers with the Home Team," said Mr Lee.

"Congratulations to all 120 of you. My colleagues and I warmly welcome you to the Home Team, and look forward to working with you in the near future."

Among the recipients is one of our DISM students, Sito Li Kang, Year-3 student, received his award from Mr Lee.

DISM student, Sito Li Kang, received the Home Team Study Award,
from Mr Desmond Lee, Senior Minister of State,
Minister of Home Affairs and Ministry of National Development.

Congratulations!!! Keep up the good work.

Splash Awards 2016 - Cyber Wellness, a topic close to our hearts

Drop me an email at junietan@sp.edu.sg, subject SCS Splash Awards if you are keen to register.

SCS Splash Awards 2016 – Cyber Wellness

A national Infocomm student competition brought to you by SCS and Singtel

 

Splash Awards is back again!

 

Let’s work together to help others surf safely and securely in cyberspace and stand to win more than $20,000 worth of prizes! Create a mobile or web application on the theme ‘Cyber Wellness’, with six sub-themes to choose from:

-          Cyber Bullying

-          Cyber Security

-          Harmful Content & Internet/ Gaming Addition

-          Making Friends Online

-          Sharing Personal Information Online

-          Open Sub-Theme

Splash Awards 2016 is open to all students ranging from secondary to tertiary institutions, ITEs and internationals IHLs with campuses in Singapore. So spread the word, stretch your imagination and be sure to send your entries before 15 July 2016!

What’s more, register to attend the mobile app development workshop on 9 June to learn prototyping tools available and how to start developing your application.

For enquiries, please email splash@scs.org.sg or contact Camilla or Li Ling at 62262567 ext 13/18.

Regards,
Splash Awards 2016 Committee
Singapore Computer Society
www.infopier.sg/scssplashawards/2016 

 

Secure Coding Workshop

DISM students organised a workshop which we opened to students from other IT diplomas. Mr Sunny Neo kept the audience engaged by doing hands on demonstrations of various vulnerabilities that might be exploited by a hacker. Here's a glimpse of the event!

The organising committee

 

 

The speaker (Sunny Neo) and his team’s introduction

Meet The Parents of our DISM Year 1 students

Director of DMIT met up with some of the year 1 parents of our DMIT students during our annual Meet The Parents (MTP) on the evening of 12th of May 2016.

The Chairperson in charge of DISM also got a chance to share with parents of our DISM Year 1 students on important matters pertaining the course, including course aims, our unique attendance taking system, the many scholarship choices for our students, and the importance of CCA.

 

He also shared a bit about our DISM facilities like the Cyber Wargame Center where the sharing was held.

 

After which the DISM Course Management Team (CMT) got a chance to meet with the parents to address any concerns. It was heart-warming to see so many concerned parents taking keen interest in their children's poly life here! We look forward to seeing the parents again in the October run of MTP.

DISM graduand receives Lee Kuan Yew award

Congratulations to our DISM graduands, Ho Jing Yang Daniel, has been awarded with the Lee Kuan Yew award.

The Lee Kuan Yew Awards are presented to the three top graduates from the technology or computer related courses at each of the Polytechnics.

Daniel, receiving his award from the Guest-of-Honour (GOH),
A/Prof Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, Parliamentary Secretary,
Ministry of Education & Ministry of Social and Family Development

Daniel's Story

Daniel Ho’s interest in cyber-security started when he was a teenager. As smart televisions and internet banking systems became mainstream, the Victoria School alumnus began to wonder about the security measures behind these technological devices. There and then, Daniel knew that he wanted a career related to cyber security, eventually choosing SP’s Diploma in Infocomm Security Management (DISM) course after getting his G.C.E. ‘O’ Level results.

During his first year in SP, Daniel was introverted and hesitant to approach his peers. However, that changed during a two-week overseas community service trip to Nepal, where he experienced the kindness and empathy exhibited by the locals in helping him to settle in. The unique exposure to a foreign culture brought him out of his shell and sparked his desire to serve the community.
Building on this resolve, Daniel initiated a student mentoring programme to help new DISM students settle into polytechnic life, creating a community where seniors and juniors share support and knowledge. Daniel was also a student leader with the SP ACERs, where he helped to promote SP to the secondary schools at outreach events.

A recipient of the Defence Science Organisation (DSO) Diploma Scholarship, Daniel completed a six-month internship as a defence researcher at the DSO National Laboratories, and was involved in research projects related to network forensics and malware detection software.

Daniel will pursue a degree in Information Security at the National University of Singapore after serving his national service. He has been awarded the Public Service Commission Scholarship and wants to be involved in Singapore’s journey towards becoming a Smart Nation. With the rise of security issues world-wide, we certainly look forward to Daniel making a difference in keeping the cyber world safe!

Find out more at http://www.sp.edu.sg/graduation2016.

Singapore Polytechnic 2016 Graduation - Our graduates, our pride.

Mr. Tan Choon Shian
Principal and Chief Executive Officer
Singapore Polytechnic

Principal and CEO's Message.

My heartiest congratulations to the Singapore Polytechnic Class of 2016!

Today marks the culmination of your three-year journey in Singapore's first polytechnic. As you join the ranks of close to 190,000-strong alumni, do take a moment to reflect on your SP journey and how you can make an impact on our society.

As you may have read in the news, the country is expecting the months ahead to be challenging as the global economy slows down. But, I am optimistic that you will be able to ride out the storm with the holistic education that you have received in SP. The industry-relevant skills, soft skills, global mind-set and good values imbued through your internships and participations in CCAs and community service, would have prepared you well.

For more details, please visit this URL.

Early Admissions Exercise @ SP

If you answered yes to both questions, here’s your invitation to apply for a place in Singapore Polytechnic (SP), under the Early Admissions Exercise (EAE).
If selected you will secure a place in SP even before sitting for your O-Level exams!

EAE is an admissions exercise that allows students to apply for admission to polytechnic based on their aptitudes and interests before their O-Level exams. This will replace the Direct Polytechnic Admissions (DPA) Exercise and Joint Polytechnic Special Admissions Exercise (JPSAE).

EAE is available to the following:

• Singapore Citizens (SC) and Permanent Residents (PR) who have registered to sit for the O-Level exams in the year of EAE application;
• International Students enrolled in government, government-aided and Independent Schools during the year of EAE application, and who have registered to sit for the O-Level exams in the year of EAE application.

For more information, please visit this URL.

Singtel launches first-of-its-kind cyber security institute in Asia Pacific: straitstimes.com

SINGAPORE - Telco Singtel on Tuesday (April 26) launched its Cyber Security Institute (CSI), a hybrid between an advanced cyber range and an educational institute.

It is the first-of-its-kind in the region to test and train companies in dealing with sophisticated cyber threats.

Housed in a permanent space of over 10,000 sq ft in the eastern part of Singapore, the institute provides cyber skills development and education programmes tailored to the varying needs of company boards, C-suite management, technology and operational staff.

For more details, please visit this URL: http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/singtel-launches-first-of-its-kind-cyber-security-institute-in-asia-pacific

 

CMT meets the DISM Freshmen

Today we got the opportunity to meet the DISM freshmen. Welcome to DISM!

IMDA addresses the freshies.

 

Freshies, meet the CMT

 

Freshies meet up with some of the Griffin Team

Orientation for the Poly Foundation Program

Students entering via the Poly Foundation Program visited SP these 2 days to better understand the program. We got a chance to meet with some of the students entering DMIT, 4 of whom will be joining DISM.