Cisco and the Digital Defence Alliance Singapore (DDAS) have signed a three-year memorandum of understanding to develop artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity training for youths and working professionals.
The training programmes will provide practical, applied learning opportunities in Singapore and overseas. “Our goal is to uplevel the whole AI and cybersecurity skill set across the nation, across different personas, whether you're students entering the workforce or even skilled professionals where you are today,” says Koo Juan Huat, director of cybersecurity for Cisco Asean, at a media briefing on the sidelines of Cisco Connect 2026.
The agreement comes as organisations introduce AI as part of wider digitalisation efforts. Koo says cybersecurity should be considered when those systems are being introduced. “When you're digitalising or/and applying AI inside your business environment, [you must] think of security upfront.”
DDAS has already organised overseas learning visits linked to the initiative. Members of its digital defenders community visited Cisco’s Seoul office in April to learn how the company is adapting to AI, including its work with start-ups developing and scaling AI capabilities.
DDAS will take 60 polytechnic students to Cisco’s Tokyo office in October to learn about network security in Japan’s commercial IT industry.
This partnership supports Singapore’s wider push to build AI capabilities beyond technology roles. Speaking at the Cisco event, Minister of State for Digital Development and Information Rahayu Mahzam says the Singapore government will expand the TechSkills Accelerator (TeSA) programme to help non-technology professionals, including those in accountancy and legal services, develop AI bilingualism.
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She adds that Singapore is strengthening AI literacy across its institutes of higher learning. Participants in selected SkillsFuture AI training courses will receive six months of free access to premium AI tools, with details to be announced later.
“As AI continues to evolve from a tool to a collaborator, we must ensure our workforce evolves with it. Workers need to build not just technical skills, but the confidence to deploy AI responsibly and effectively,” she says.
