CyberXCenter with DIS training the Telcos on OT security

CyberxCenter together with Digital and Intelligence Service (DIS) (the digital service branch of the Singapore Armed Forces) recently conducted an intensive four-day cybersecurity training programme for Singapore's Telecommunication company, with a specialised focus on Operational Technology (OT) security in 5G telecommunications networks.

With 5G now forming the digital backbone of national readiness, the programme was designed to build operational competence and strategic awareness in defending critical telco infrastructure against advanced cyber threats.

Over the course of the training, participants gained a deep technical foundation in telecommunications protocols and architectures, from legacy signalling frameworks to modern 5G core components, enabling them to recognise how attacks can propagate across complex, interconnected systems.

A significant component of the programme involved hands-on lab exercises, where trainees analysed live network traffic, detected anomalous signalling behaviour, and responded to simulated threat scenarios. They learned to identify and interpret threats hidden within telco-specific protocols.

Through the simulation, participants strengthened their ability not only to assess vulnerabilities, but also to apply investigation methodologies, and understand defensive countermeasures in critical communications environments.

By the end of the four days, the participants were equipped with the practical skillset and domain-specific knowledge required to defend national telecommunications systems.

This training directly supports their preparation for an upcoming national-level cyber defence exercise CIDEX (Critical Infrastructure Defence Exercise) which is an annual hands-on cybersecurity exercise in Singapore that involves government agencies and private sector partners working together to defend critical infrastructure, ensuring they are able to operate confidently in scenarios involving sophisticated state-level threat actors and complex OT-telco attack surfaces.