I am happy to share that the ITSC has just established a new Technical Reference TR 40 : 2015 Sensor networks for smart nation (homes) which will help facilitate the implementation of sensor networks for the home setting. We are also revising the Singapore Standard SS 584 Multi-tier Cloud Computing Security (MTCS) in response to feedback from the industry and users of the standard. The revised version of MTCS is now out for public comment.

Sensor networks and cloud computing are important technologies that will enable Singapores Smart Nation vision and ITSC is working to support this through our standards programmes.

Infocomm security is another area that ITSC is actively monitoring and working on. Infocomm security plays an instrumental role in establishing a secure and reliable environment in which technology developments can flourish and users can carry out their online activities with trust and confidence.

Cybersecurity in the IoT AgeBy Information Technology Standards Committee

The Internet began its history some 50 years ago as a government weapon in the Cold War, and was used exclusively by scientists and researchers to exchange data. Today, it is hard to imagine life without it.

The Internet of Things (IoT) is the next phase of this evolutionary technology where physical objects are embedded with software, sensors and connectivity to transfer data over a network, without requiring any human intervention. Each thing is uniquely identifiable and interoperable with the existing Internet infrastructure.

A Business Insider Intelligence report found that the IoT market will eventually add US$1.7 trillion of revenue to the global economy by 2019, and will be the largest device market in the world. Just a few years ago, IoT used to exist mostly in healthcare devices such as pacemakers to allow doctors to track their patients body changes. But now, smart lifestyle devices, including TVs, refrigerators and household appliances, which are connected to the Internet to provide ambient intelligence to the user, can be spotted at home.

IoT devices are also used in organisations, including data and control technologies that improve business process monitoring, control and optimisation, and the overall customer experience.

In this issue, we review the security implications behind the Internet of Things (IoT), an industry phenomenon which will become more prevalent over the next few years as Singapore realises its Smart Nation vision. We also discuss the issue of talent crunch, especially in specialised sectors such as infocomm security, and how academic institutions here are collaborating with industry players to close the talent gap. We included an interesting read on the latest cyber threats that are making their way into 2015, and the real-world impact they have on our daily lives as we embrace newer technologies such as mobile payment systems.

Happy reading, and be safe on the Internet.

Chairmans Address

Yap Chee YuenChairman, Information Technology Standards Committee

In This Issue

Setting the StandardInnovation Through Collaboration ITSCs Quarterly Newsletter - April 2015

Information Technology Standards Committeec/o 10 Pasir Panjang Road #10-01 Mapletree Business City Singapore 117438 Call +65 6211 0888 | Fax +65 6659 2507 | Email itsc_secretariat@itsc.org.sg | Web www.itsc.org.sg

Security Threat Trends to Watch in 2015 The article originally appeared as Sophos whitepaper

Standards NewsBy Information Technology Standards Committee

Tackling the Local Talent Crunch Nurturing the Next-Generation of Infocomm Security TalentBy Information Technology Standards Committee

Cybersecurity in the IoT AgeBy Information Technology Standards Committee