Archive for the ‘Visits’ Category

Singtel launches Cyber Security Institute in Singapore

Tuesday, April 26th, 2016

The Singtel Cyber Security Institute (CSI) aims to hone cyber skills and preparedness of businesses and governments in Asia Pacific by providing holistic training for company boards, management, technology and operations personnel to deal with cyber attacks.

Update (18 May, 2016):

Competing telco StarHub announced plans to grow the local cyber security ecosystem with the launch of its Cyber Security Centre of Excellence (COE).

* All photos in this article provided by Singtel.

Chua Sock Koong, Group CEO, Singtel Group, giving her opening remarks at the launch of the Singtel Cyber Security Institute.

Chua Sock Koong, Group CEO, Singtel Group, giving her opening remarks at the launch of the Singtel Cyber Security Institute.

The CSI is a hybrid between an advanced cyber range and an educational institute.

“Based on our engagements with companies in Singapore, more than 85% do not have robust cyber response plans nor the opportunity to conduct realistic drills to test and sharpen such plans. This lack of cyber preparedness is worsened by the severe global shortfall of trained cyber security experts, which Forbes puts at some 1 million in 2016. This is why we’ve stepped up to the plate. We know we have to help companies secure themselves against a potential slew of increasingly sophisticated cyber attacks,” said Bill Chang, Chief Executive Officer, Group Enterprise at Singtel.

Singtel boasts that the CSI is the first-of–its-kind in the region to test and train companies in dealing with sophisticated cyber threats.

Housed in a permanent space of over 10,000 sq ft, the institute provides cyber skills development and education programmes tailored to the varying needs of company boards, C-suite management, technology and operational staff.

Boards and C-suite level participants will be trained in the areas of cyber threat awareness, risk management, business continuity planning and crisis communications preparation.

The cyber operations team will be trained in defence and response capabilities to sharpen their skills.

In conjunction with the launch of the CSI, Singtel announced that it is the first company in Singapore to work with the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore on the Cyber Security Associates and Technologists (CSAT) Programme to train infocomm professionals in cyber security.

Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister for Communications and Information, delivering his speech to open the new Singtel Cyber Security Institute.

Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister for Communications and Information, delivering his speech to open the new Singtel Cyber Security Institute.

Under this programme, Singtel will train fresh infocomm technology professionals and equip them with basic cyber security skills.

(more…)

Opening: HubSpot opens official APAC HQ in Singapore

Tuesday, April 26th, 2016

The company which provides solutions for inbound marketing expects to create 150 new jobs for Singapore-based employees over the next three years.

Anyone for free-flow beer on tap in the pantry of HubSpot's new offices at Mapletree Anson? Surely a draw for the 150 potential employees the inbond marketing company is aiming to hire in Singapore over the next three years.

Anyone for free-flow beer on tap in the pantry of HubSpot’s new offices at Mapletree Anson? Surely a draw for the 150 potential employees the inbond marketing company is aiming to hire in Singapore over the next three years.

HubSpot’s Singapore office — affectionately known as SingSpot — joins Sydney, Australia as the second HubSpot office in Asia Pacific and will act as the company’s regional headquarters.

“HubSpot has an incredible opportunity for growth in Asia Pacific and we could not be happier to be celebrating that with a new office and a commitment to hiring 150 new employees. HubSpot’s Singapore-based team will be core to the impact that we’re making across Asia Pacific and the growth and success of our customers in the region,” said JD Sherman, HubSpot President & COO.

HubSpot first came to Asia Pacific in 2014 in an effort to extend HubSpot’s global reach and make an impact with the many mid-market companies and data-driven marketing and sales professionals in the region looking for a more personalised and integrated way of doing business.

With a larger presence in Singapore and employees spanning nearly all aspects of HubSpot’s business including sales, marketing, services, and support, HubSpot can build on the tremendous momentum and growth that has taken place over the past two years.

Located at Mapletree Anson, Hubspot’s new Singapore location features some unique and exciting features, including:

  • Dedicated quiet space
  • Mother’s room
  • Snack-stocked kitchen with on-tap beer
  • Games room
  • “Hidden” lounge space with game console

(more…)

New Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise office & innovation facility in Singapore

Thursday, October 1st, 2015

Targeted at driving business growth in the region, the US$1 million innovation hub will serve as a test bed for advanced networking & communication solutions to empower businesses in the region.

Tour of the new Innovation Facility in the Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise office in Singapore.

Tour of the new Innovation Facility in the Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise office in Singapore.

Singapore ALE Pte Ltd today announced the opening of its new office and innovation facility in Singapore – one year after ALE separated from parent company Alcatel-Lucent in October 2014.

“ALE was searching for a solid ground to establish its innovation hub in the region. With Singapore investing heavily in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and amidst plans to become the world’s first smart nation, we saw this country as a natural fit for us to set up base,” said Matthieu Destot, Vice-President of Sales, Asia Pacific, ALE.

The new office and innovation facility will provide ALE new opportunities to deliver specialised solutions tailored to the Asia Pacific region.

As part of ALE’s commitment to innovation, an investment of US$1 million was invested into creating the research and testing facility in Singapore.

The innovation facility will serve as a prime test bed for ALE’s latest networking and communications solutions, aimed at delivering the personalised connected experience to empower businesses in the region for success.

The new office and innovation facility is located in the TechnoPark @ Chai Chee.

This centre is equipped to accomplish the following.

(more…)

POTD: Corridor in Masjid Abdul Gafoor in Singapore

Monday, August 10th, 2015

Amidst the searing heat of the afternoon sun, the mosque offers a cool refuge and respite for worshippers and visitors.

The corridor is still empty, although in an hours’ time, worshippers will arrive for the Friday prayers. Photo taken using a Canon EOS 5Ds and EF 50mm F1.4 USM prime lens. Photo credit: John Tan.

The corridor is still empty, although in an hours’ time, worshippers will arrive for the Friday prayers. Photo taken using a Canon EOS 5Ds and EF 50mm F1.4 USM prime lens. Photo credit: John Tan.

Masjid Abdul Gafoor was gazetted as a national monument of Singapore on 13 July 1979.

Gowns for worshippers’ perusal in the Abdul Gaffoor Mosque. Photo taken using a Canon EOS 5Ds and EF 50mm F1.4 USM prime lens. Photo credit: John Tan.

Gowns for worshippers’ perusal in the Abdul Gaffoor Mosque. Photo taken using a Canon EOS 5Ds and EF 50mm F1.4 USM prime lens. Photo credit: John Tan.

(more…)

POTD: Prayer hall in Masjid Abdul Gafoor in Singapore

Friday, August 7th, 2015

The prayer hall is the most sacred part of the mosque and is at the core of the building, directly below the cupola and tower on the roof of the mosque.

Beautiful calligraphic inscriptions decorate the prayer hall. Photo taken using a Canon EOS 5Ds and EF 50mm F1.4 USM prime lens. Photo credit: John Tan.

Beautiful calligraphic inscriptions decorate the prayer hall. Photo taken using a Canon EOS 5Ds and EF 50mm F1.4 USM prime lens. Photo credit: John Tan.

Only worshippers are allowed into the prayer hall.

Visitors/tourists and women are not allowed inside.

Caps/songkoks for use for worshippers. Photo taken using a Canon EOS 5Ds and EF 50mm F1.4 USM prime lens. Photo credit: John Tan.

Caps/songkoks for use for worshippers. Photo taken using a Canon EOS 5Ds and EF 50mm F1.4 USM prime lens. Photo credit: John Tan.

The following descriptions are from the Wikipedia article on Masjid Abdul Gaffoor.

(more…)

POTD: Rooftop tower at Masjid Abdul Gafoor in Singapore

Saturday, August 1st, 2015

Photo of the Day: The rooftop tower is directly above the cupola above the prayer hall of the mosque.

* Information from Wikipedia article on Masjid Abdul Gaffoor.

The tower has eight sides and has three levels demarcated with Doric pilasters. Photo taken using a Canon EOS M3 and 18-55mm kit lens. Photo credit: John Tan.

The tower has eight sides and has three levels demarcated with Doric pilasters. Photo taken using a Canon EOS M3 and 18-55mm kit lens. Photo credit: John Tan.

On the lowest of three levels of the tower are eight cinquefoil windows with coloured glass panes which let light through to the interior.

The middle level has pilasters and capitals below a balustrade with bottleneck balusters.

(more…)

POTD: Stairs to heaven at Masjid Abdul Gafoor in Singapore

Sunday, July 26th, 2015

The Abdul Gafoor Mosque is in Little India off Jalan Besar in Singapore. * The information in this article was derived from Wikipedia’s article on the mosque.

The rear facade of the Masjid Abdul Gafoor is actually two stairs that ascend to the cupola at its rooftop. Photo taken using a Canon EOS 5Ds and EF 50mm F1.4 USM prime lens. Photo credit: John Tan.

The rear facade of the Masjid Abdul Gafoor is actually two stairs that ascend to the cupola at its rooftop. Photo taken using a Canon EOS 5Ds and EF 50mm F1.4 USM prime lens. Photo credit: John Tan.

The area in which Masjid Abdul Gafoor was built is also known as Kampung Kapor, which was a centre of business activity for Indian merchants.

The mosque also served Muslims who worked at the old race course at Farrer Park.

The predecessor to the Masjid Abdul Gafoor at the location was an earlier mosque named Masjid Al-Abrar which was built in 1846 for the South Indian Muslim merchants and Baweanese syces and horse trainers living in the area.

The name of the mosque at the entrance. According to Wikipedia, “In 1881, a deed of assignment dated 14 November 1881 created the Dunlop Street Mosque Endowment or wakaf. The two trustees were Ismail Mansor and Shaik Abdul Gaffoor bin Shaik Hydert. Abdul Gaffoor was the chief clerk at a legal firm. The wakaf was created for the building of a mosque for the Muslim community in Singapore. The deed of assignment also placed in trust several other properties including a Muslim burial ground and a house in Race Course Road. The burial ground was closed in 1921.” Photo taken using a Canon EOS 5Ds and EF 50mm F1.4 USM prime lens. Photo credit: John Tan.

The name of the mosque at the entrance. According to Wikipedia, “In 1881, a deed of assignment dated 14 November 1881 created the Dunlop Street Mosque Endowment or wakaf. The two trustees were Ismail Mansor and Shaik Abdul Gaffoor bin Shaik Hydert. Abdul Gaffoor was the chief clerk at a legal firm. The wakaf was created for the building of a mosque for the Muslim community in Singapore. The deed of assignment also placed in trust several other properties including a Muslim burial ground and a house in Race Course Road. The burial ground was closed in 1921.” Photo taken using a Canon EOS 5Ds and EF 50mm F1.4 USM prime lens. Photo credit: John Tan.

(more…)

POTD: Masjid Abdul Gafoor in Singapore Kampung Kapor

Saturday, July 25th, 2015

The Abdul Gafoor Mosque is on Dunlop Street in the Kampung Kapor area of Singapore.

The visit to the Masjid Abdul Gafoor was part of an SG50 heritage photowalk organised by Canon Singapore, that also included visits to the Saint Joseph’s Church and Yueh Hai Ching Temple. I had the chance to try out the new EOS 5Ds and EOS M3 cameras. This photo was taken using an EOS 5Ds and EF 50mm F1.4 USM prime lens. Photo credit: John Tan.

The visit to the Masjid Abdul Gafoor was part of an SG50 heritage photowalk organised by Canon Singapore, that also included visits to the Saint Joseph’s Church and Yueh Hai Ching Temple. I had the chance to try out the new EOS 5Ds and EOS M3 cameras. This photo was taken using a Canon EOS 5Ds and EF 50mm F1.4 USM prime lens. Photo credit: John Tan.

Originally built in 1907, the mosque was restored in 2003.

Travel: Meeting Dato’ Chef Ismail at Restoran Rebung in KL

Sunday, May 31st, 2015

Dato’ Chef Ismail is the food ambassador of the Malaysian Tourism Ministry and owner of Restoran Rebung in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia.

tech4tea.com was invited by Tourism Malaysia to check out the restaurant and meet with the affable owner-chef. Here are some pictures that Wee Wu Neo has sent back to Singapore. Text by John Tan.

Chef Ismail shares how he helped his grandmother in the kitchen since he was five, learning how to cook Malay heritage dishes over the years.

Chef Ismail shares how he helped his grandmother in the kitchen since he was five, learning how to cook Malay heritage dishes over the years.

Restoran Rebung is located at No. 4-2 Lorong Maarof, Bangsar (59000) in KL, near to the bustling nightlife in the capital’s Bangsar district.

Siput Sedut or Belitung cooked in curry. In case you’re wondering, it is a species of Sea Snail.

Siput Sedut or Belitung cooked in curry. In case you’re wondering, it is a species of Sea Snail.

The interior decor is very traditional and reminds one of the typical Malay home.

Get a taste of Negri Sembilan at Restoran Rebung.

Get a taste of Negri Sembilan at Restoran Rebung.

The 55-year-old celebrity Chef Ismail Ahmad grew up in a small village in the Malaysian state of Negri Sembilan and includes in his menu a huge list of local cuisine that diners can order a la carte or through a buffet.

Nasi Lemak - fragrant rice cooked in coconut milk and pandan leaf - wrapped in banana leaf and old newspaper.

Nasi Lemak – fragrant rice cooked in coconut milk and pandan leaf – wrapped in banana leaf and old newspaper.

(more…)

Canon launches Print Hub at Singapore Sports Hub

Wednesday, April 1st, 2015

The Canon Print Hub is designed to drive efficiency and productivity savings, and enhance customer experiences at the Singapore Sports Hub – resulting in a projected S$2m savings over five years.

The Canon Print Hub is located within the Singapore Sports Hub. Singapore Sports Hub will be invoiced based on actual usage.

The Canon Print Hub is located within the Singapore Sports Hub. Singapore Sports Hub will be invoiced based on actual usage.

With the launch of Canon Print Hub, the Singapore Sports Hub and its partners will have immediate access to Canon’s expertise in document management solutions, managed document services, mailroom services, creative services and print production services.

“The Canon Print Hub is a creative internal solution which provides us with swift information delivery and effective communication with our many customers, partners and sponsors,” said Oon Jin Teik, Chief Operating Officer, Singapore Sports Hub.

This will allow for a quicker, more cost-effective turnaround of marketing collaterals and materials during events held at the Singapore Sports Hub, such as the 28th SEA Games in Singapore from 5-16 June later this year.

In addition, co-locating Canon Print Hub within the Singapore Sports Hub facility will allow the Singapore Sports Hub to implement marketing communication campaigns at shorter notices offering more dynamic customer engagement programs.

(more…)