Singapore (18 November 2016) — Global IT and cybersecurity association ISACA has concluded their first-ever CSX 2016 Asia Pacific conference in Singapore, which was held 14-16 November 2016. The event, aimed at helping organizations build qualified cybersecurity workforces and help individuals advance their cyber careers, was attended by more than 300 attendees from a spectrum of industries and cyber security experience levels. The event was particularly timely given the recent launch of the holistic national Cybersecurity Strategy by the Singapore government, which identified existing cybersecurity skills gaps. Furthermore, the recent spate of local cybersecurity attacks further underscored the need to further develop local cybersecurity capabilities. “CSX 2016 Asia Pacific could not have come at a more crucial juncture for Singapore, given the heightened awareness of the need for cybersecurity—both by organizations and enterprises as well as in critical public infrastructures,” said Leonard Ong, CISA, CISM, CRISC, CGEIT, Board Director of ISACA and associate director at MSD International. “Through this event, and ongoing activities by ISACA, we hope to contribute in building up local and regional cybersecurity skills and capabilities, and position Singapore as one of the global leaders in cybersecurity.” Teo Chin Hock, Deputy Chief Executive of the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore, echoed this need during his opening address at the event. “Addressing cybersecurity threats go beyond deep cybersecurity competencies. We also need the professional workforce to be more cohesive and united to anticipate the increasing scale and sophistication of cybersecurity threats.” said Mr. Teo. “With broad membership bases and diverse outreach channels, professional bodies such as ISACA are important to forge a common identity in the profession and foster trust within its professional networks.” During the event, cyber security experts from around the world convened to discuss the latest challenges in cyber security with over 50 in-depth and insightful sessions. Highlights included an opening keynote by Richard Quest, CNN International news anchor and host of “Quest Means Business,” who underscored the key gaps organizations have around cybersecurity. Participants also heard from Christos Dimitriadis, Chair of ISACA’s Board of Directors, who discussed current challenges faced by the cybersecurity industry, and Ashkan Soltani, former chief technologist of the Federal Trade Commission (U.S.), who delved into privacy issues faced by both consumers and organizations. Event participants also had an opportunity to hear from Justine Bone, who provided insights into the threat that firmware poses to consumers and why it is an issue that needs to be solved now; as well as Eddie Schwartz, president and COO, White Ops, who discussed the changing role of CISOs in a fast evolving threat landscape. “I enjoyed CSX 2016 Asia Pacific. The event keynotes were very refreshing and they challenged the conventional way of thinking about cybersecurity as a whole. The sessions were also engaging and well-paced. It was like a mini bootcamp to get up-to-speed on the latest industry trends and challenges, especially since the rate of cybercrime incidents is expected to continue to rise,” said attendee George Abraham, a senior IT professional from a local educational institute. The event also featured a special networking event as part of ISACA’s Connecting Women Leaders in Technology program. “ISACA is definitely taking a step in the right direction with the Connecting Women Leaders in Technology networking event. It’s refreshing to be able to connect with other women who speak the same language and face the same issues I do. The event was buzzing with fresh ideas and sharing and I believe the industry needs more of these kinds of events,” said attendee Mary Janice Aljecera, a cybersecurity professional from the financial sector.     In addition to these activities, attendees could earn up to 32 continuing professional education credits at conference workshops and breakout sessions. For details on CSX guidance, training, tools and certifications, visit https://cybersecurity.isaca.org.   About ISACA ISACA^® (isaca.org) helps professionals around the globe realize the positive potential of technology in an evolving digital world. By offering industry-leading knowledge, standards, credentialing and education, ISACA enables professionals to apply technology in ways that instill confidence, address threats, drive innovation and create positive momentum for their organizations. Established in 1969, ISACA is a global association with more than 140,000 members and certification holders in 187 countries. ISACA is the creator of the COBIT framework, which helps organizations effectively govern and manage their information and technology. Through its Cybersecurity Nexus (CSX), ISACA helps organizations develop skilled cyber workforces and enables individuals to grow and advance their cyber careers.