Improve cybersecurity awareness with ESET training in Singapore

ESET, a global cybersecurity solutions provider, has launched ESET Cybersecurity Awareness Training in Singapore. This online resource is designed to educate, test, and improve the cyber resilience of employees.

With this offering, ESET responds to one of the main problems for business owners — low cybersecurity skills among employees that can lead to costly breaches and reputation losses. At the same time, ESET Cybersecurity Awareness Training helps organisations meet compliance and insurance requirements. According to ESET, 68% of breaches involve a human element, social engineering or an error, while employee education is the No. 1 factor that reduces the cost of a breach.

The launch comes at a critical time as Singapore’s critical infrastructure continues to face persistent threats from advanced attacks that could lead to operational disruptions, economic losses, and loss of trust in Singapore’s digital ecosystem. With higher incidence of business email compromise (BEC) attacks reported by small and medium-sized businesses (SMB) than regional peers, it is becoming increasingly essential for businesses here to bolster their cybersecurity posture to defend against the expanding threat landscape, ESET stated.

“At ESET, we believe that building a cyber resilient organisation starts with well-informed employees,” said Parvinder Walia, President of the Asia Pacific region at ESET. 

“Our Cybersecurity Awareness Training is designed to change behavior through interactive content, gamification, and real-world cybersecurity insights. Backed by over 30 years of research and hands-on training expertise, it equips employees at every level with the knowledge they need to stay secure.”

Businesses can reinforce the training using realistic phishing attack simulations via a phishing simulator. This tool helps organisations test their employees with an unlimited number of phishing tests using hundreds of regularly-updated templates, or create their own simulation. Employees can thus be tested on real-world scenarios while companies can adjust their training plans based on the results. 

Key features of ESET Cybersecurity Awareness Training include: 

- Interactive training: Uses gamification and real-world scenarios to make learning engaging and impactful. 

- Phishing simulation: Allows deployment of realistic phishing campaigns using prebuilt or custom templates. 

- Smart reporting and compliance: Real-time tracking, dashboards, and detailed reports to monitor progress and meet compliance needs. 

- Regulatory alignment: Supports requirements such as Cyber Essentials Mark, GDPR, PCI DSS, and NIS2. 

An easy-to-use dashboard gives IT admins an overview of available courses, statistics about employees’ training progress, and phishing campaign simulation results. Admins can also organise employees in customisable groups so they can prepare campaigns and training enrollments tailored to the needs of both employees and their superiors.

ESET has also reduced all necessary IT administration duties typically associated with employees’ training to a minimum. The deployment is easy and seamless thanks to deep integrations with many popular third-party, cloud-based services, and a full API. Whether employees are using learning management systems (LMS), single sign-on (SSO), customer relationship management systems (CRMS), or human resource information systems (HRIS), ESET can sync with businesses’ existing workflows. 

All these features follow the ESET commitment to a prevention-first strategy that minimises the attack surface and reduces the complexity of cyberdefence. ESET Cybersecurity Awareness Training covers most human-related attack vectors, and its smooth deployment and management help to keep cybersecurity simple.

Explore

Find out about ESET Cybersecurity Awareness Training features, capabilities, and management options at https://www.eset.com/SG/business/solutions/cybertraining/

Qatar Airways supports Breast Cancer Awareness month

Source: Qatar Airways. Amenity kits go pink.

Limited edition amenity kits in pink are now being offered to Qatar Airways’ First and Business Class passengers to mark the airline’s continuing support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Passengers flying long-haul in first and business class will receive luxury amenity bags created exclusively for Qatar Airways by Italian luggage brand BRIC’S, in shade of pink called Rose Pompadour.

All passengers flying in First Class and Business Class with Qatar Airways will be offered pink versions of the airline’s signature miniature BRIC'S Bellagio and Sintesis suitcase amenity kits, for men and women, which feature a hard shell with a Tuscan leather trim. Each bag contains exclusive products from Italy’s Castello Monte Vibiano Vecchio, the environmentally-friendly olive oil company.

The skincare range includes lip balm, hydrating facial mist, and anti-ageing moisturiser in business class, with added Night Recovery Cream for first class kits. Pink socks, eyeshades and ear plugs complete the range with the addition of a BRIC’S signature luggage tag for First Class. A card urging customers to Think Pink! and encouraging them to support the fight against breast cancer is included with each kit.

Qatar Airways Senior VP, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Salam Al Shawa, said: “Qatar Airways is a very strong supporter of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and all the incredibly hard work that goes into research and development to help beat breast cancer. We hope these very special and limited edition pink BRIC’S luxury amenity kits for our male and female passengers flying long-haul in first class and business class will help demonstrate our ongoing commitment to raising awareness of breast cancer, and show our support for those affected by it.”

As well as being encouraged to wear pink during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, many Qatar Airways employees will be taking part in a number of initiatives to alert staff to the dangers of the disease and generate funds towards fighting breast cancer. These include various workshops and awareness-raising lectures designed to raise awareness of the importance of self-assessment and early diagnosis.

Now in its 20th year, Qatar Airways has a modern fleet of 200 aircraft flying to business and leisure destinations across six continents. Qatar Airways will be adding more destinations to its network in 2017 and 2018, including Canberra, Australia and Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Rose Pompadour was created in France in 1757 at the Sèvres porcelain facility, named after a member of the French court, Jeanne Antoinette Poisson, the Marquise de Pompadour (Madame de Pompadour). Madame de Pompadour who was a major patron of porcelain. Rose Pompadour is one of five colours produced by Sèvres, which helped to define magnificence and luxury in eighteenth-century France.

Media Literacy Council of Singapore launches Better Internet Campaign

Source: Media Literacy Council. From left: Chong Ee Jay, Manager of TOUCH Family Services and a member of the Media Literacy Council, a former victim of cyberbullying who subsequently cyberbullied in retaliation; Tan Chee Wee, Executive Director, Media Literacy Council, and Lock Wai Han, Chairman, Media Literacy Council.

Singapore's Media Literacy Council (MLC) recently celebrated Safer Internet Day (SID) on February 7 with the launch of the Better Internet Campaign. The campaign will run till 31 May 2017, focusing on current cyber wellness issues of cyberbullying, discernment and excessive screen time. 

The MLC partners industry, community and government to champion and develop public education and awareness programmes relating to media literacy and cyber wellness. The council has spearheaded the campaign for the fourth time since Singapore’s participation in the global initiative in 2013. This year ,campaign activities include a series of on-ground engagements and broadcasts on mainstream and social media to bring more awareness and discussions about various issues around the areas of focus.

MLC has adopted the campaign tagline Do What’s Right Online, Be the Change for a Better Internet. A showcase of real-life stories profiling a diverse range of individuals who have personally experienced cyber-wellness issues (including students, educators, counsellors, perpetrators and victims will also be available at the campaign website. A series of social experiments covering these issues will further be conducted to generate awareness, conversations and reflections on the issues.

Lock Wai Han, Chairman of the Media Literacy Council, said: “The Internet and mobile devices have become an integral part of our lives, especially among our young people. It is therefore critical to encourage our youths to be positive online, while giving them the resilience, knowledge and support they need to navigate online risks. With the proliferation of news sources online, we need to be discerning to distinguish between falsehood and the truth, to avoid falling prey to scams and fake news.” 

Chong Ee Jay – Manager, TOUCH Family Services, and Member, Media Literacy Council, a former victim of cyberbullying who subsequently bullied back in retaliation, said that online interactions should be governed by sensitivity to others. "Basically, it is a question about good manners, and what is acceptable between family and close friends. Some remarks can be hurtful and we must be mindful about this, especially when it is a sensitive subject of say, how a person looks, his/her size, etc. This applies whether online or offline," he commented.

That said, cyberbullying is even more of a problem compared to face-to-face bullying for several reasons, noted Chong. "The cloak of anonymity online often creates an enhanced false sense of security or empowerment which results in users often becoming seemingly bolder or adventurous online to do things which they often may not dare or be willing to try out in real life.," he explained. "Cyberbullying is one clear example where bullies resort to hiding behind their keyboards to make hurtful comments rather than resolving the matter in person. That's why often in cyber bullying cases, anyone can be the bully."

If someone is being cyberbullied, creating a supportive environment is essential. "Often many are hurt by the comments. However not all victimised cases end up depressed or in a despondent state. Some whose personalities are more resilient, or those who have better management of their emotions and have healthy social support from friends and family, tend to cope much better in the face of cyber bullying," said Chong.

Chong also advises against running away from it all through deleting social media accounts, for example. "Running away would not solve the problem. In fact more often than not, it sends the message to the bully (or bullies) that he/she/they have 'succeeded'. An alternative proposition would be to block or delete the bullies from your social media friends' list. Minimise possible social contact with the bully until you are better able to manage your emotions," he said.

Getting a respected third party to offer a balanced perspective can also help, as it did in Chong's case. "Our teacher/counsellor stepped in and reasoned with the both of us who were involved in the matter. I realised that by retaliating (against) the cyberbully, I became a bully myself. Both of us then realised the value of our friendship and how silly the whole matter had become as our ‘battle’ was in full view of our other friends, too. We stopped hitting out at each other via the Internet after that. We remain friends till today," he shared.

"As adults, resolve it face to face and talk it out, or seek help from professional Counsellors or even Family Centres like TOUCH Family Services. As some of the bullying incidents may happen in school, it would be important for parents to teach their young to inform and seek advice from school leaders such as teachers and counsellors who would provide emotional support as well as keep a look out for the students in school. It would also be important for students to share the incident with parents and allow them to better understand what the students are facing as well as provide advice, and if required, to make reports to the school together with the student."

Chong also said that the law can be called in for more serious cases. "In severe harassment cases which involves offensive messages are defamatory or criminal intimidation*, a police report can be lodged," he added.

SID is a public awareness initiative started in 2004 by the Insafe Network, a network of Awareness Centres funded under the Safer Internet Programme of the European Commission. The SID takes place on the second Tuesday of February every year and seeks to promote safe and positive use of digital technology, especially amongst children and young people. This year’s global theme is Be the Change: Unite for a Better Internet which emphasises the importance of collaboration and unity.

Interested?

Find out more about Chong's cyberbullying experience, and those of others

Read the WorkSmart Asia blog post about Microsoft's commemoration of Safer Internet Day with the Digital Civility Index

*A definition provided by Chong for criminal intimidation runs: "Whoever threatens another with any injury to his or her person, reputation or property, or to the person or reputation of any one in whom that person is interested, with intent to cause alarm to that person, or to cause that person to do any act which he or she is not legally bound to do, or to omit to do any act which that person is legally entitled to do, as the means of avoiding the execution of such threat, commits criminal intimidation." More on the law

Bank Negara Malaysia creates mobile apps for consumers

Bank Negara Malaysia has introduced three new mobile applications to help consumers make more informed financial decisions.

The mobile applications, MyBNM, BNM MyLINK and MyTabung, aims to provide consumers with the latest developments on financial matters, give them tools to plan and manage their finances and exercise their rights.

MyBNM is the official Bank Negara Malaysia mobile application that allows consumers to keep abreast with the latest financial news including notices and announcements, speeches and interviews, press releases, financial fraud alerts and foreign exchange rates.

BNM MyLINK is a one-stop mobile application which links consumers and financial service providers in Malaysia. It provides a directory of conventional and Islamic banking, insurance and takaful companies as well as SMEs which allow consumers to make enquiries, obtain advice and address their complaints.

MyTabung helps individuals to create a personal or household budget. Users can capture incomes, savings and recurring expenses with an on-the-spot display of the user’s financial standing and spending patterns. Individuals can also obtain financial advice and budgeting tips to guide them in practicing prudent financial management.

Interested?

The apps are available in both Bahasa Malaysia and English, and can be downloaded for free from the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store.

Singapore is on standby to act on Ebola

Singapore's Ministry of Health (MOH) has gone beyond WHO recommendations for Ebola virus disease (EVD), which it says it has already put in place as part of its preparedness plan against EVD. It is also ready to calibrate its measures as the situation evolves.

As recommended, the ministry is raising the awareness and knowledge of travellers about the potential risk of EVD. "Information on EVD has been provided to the public and potential travellers on MOH’s website, and in its media release issued on 7 August. Singaporeans have been advised to avoid non-essential travel to affected areas. Instructions have also been provided on precautions to take if there is a need to travel to affected areas," the ministry stated in a release on 8 August.

At the same time, all medical practitioners and hospitals have been alerted, through professional circulars, to the EVD situation in West Africa. "They are advised to remain vigilant to pick up cases of EVD early amongst patients with compatible symptoms and a travel history to affected areas. MOH has also provided guidance on the criteria for defining suspect EVD cases, and on how to notify MOH of such cases," the ministry said.

Singapore is no stranger to preparedness procedures for infectious diseases since dealing with SARS in 2003. According to the Ministry of Health, all public hospitals have put in place infection control procedures in the event of an imported EVD case. Processes have also been put in place include:

• Sending samples for EVD testing at the National Public Health Laboratory’s designated testing facilities. 
• Centralising the management of suspect cases of EVD in Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH). Suspect cases who are seriously ill will be transported in specially configured ambulances, and all suspect cases will be managed in negative pressure isolation rooms with strict infection control procedures.

Contingency plans are also in place at Singapore's Changi Airport to manage passengers with signs of EVD. In 2013, Changi saw 53.7 million passengers arriving and departing. Such passengers will be isolated and transferred using a portable medical isolation unit (PMIU) to TTSH for further management.

Precautionary measures in Singapore's preparedness against EVD over and above the WHO recommendations include border health measures as well as contact tracing and quarantine. MOH has worked with the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and the Changi Airport Group (CAG) on border health measures. Individual health advisory notices (HANs) have been distributed to nationals from the affected areas at air and land checkpoints since 2pm on 7 August 2014.

The HAN advises travellers to consult a doctor early, and inform the doctor of their travel history if they become unwell, with sudden onset of high fever, stomach pains, diarrhoea, vomiting, rash or bleeding, within three weeks of being in any of the affected areas in West Africa. Similar advice is provided in Health Advisory posters at land and air checkpoints, which have been progressively put up from 8 August.

The MOH says it has been ready to conduct contact tracing in the event of a confirmed case of EVD since the beginning of the outbreak in West Africa. All close contacts will be quarantined and monitored for up to 21 days, either in their homes or in the Government Quarantine Facility (GQF) in Pasir Ris.

Read about the WHO announcement here.

India's preparedness measures are here.