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These students are helping Singapore’s MSMEs defend against cyber threats. Through hands-on workshops and tailored guidance, they put their skills to the test while supporting real businesses, as Umairah Nasir finds out.
When a small business falls victim to a cyberattack, the consequences can be severe. In Singapore, 84% of cybersecurity victims in 2023 were SMEs according to the Cyber Security Agency. Two-thirds of companies lacked basic measures, citing limited knowledge and insufficient resources.
Recognising this gap, TP launched what is said to be the country’s first student-led cybersecurity clinic – one that sees second- and third-year students from TP’s Diploma in Cybersecurity & Digital Forensics (CDF) stepping up to help. Under faculty supervision, they lead CyberEssentials workshops, assess cybersecurity practices, and provide guidance tailored to each MSME’s needs.
The programme is part of the APAC Cybersecurity Fund and aims to reach 100 MSMEs by the end of next year. Umairah Nasir speaks to Poh Zhi Yuan, Course Chair, Diploma in CDF and Muhammad Hamizan, a third-year student to find out about what this entails.
Preparing students for real-world impact
Poh Zhi Yuan says the clinic gives students more than technical experience. “Beyond technical skills, I hope our students develop a deep appreciation for the impact their expertise can have in supporting real businesses.”
Through industry partnerships, students are able tpply knowledge in real-world settings. By working directly with MSMEs, they are able to learn that cybersecurity is not just a technical discipline but a vital enabler of business continuity. They lead workshops, assess practices, and recommend practical improvements tailored to each company’s needs.
The clinic also prepares students to become confident, industry-ready graduates who can think critically and apply knowledge purposefully. Poh said collaborations like the cybersecurity clinic play a vital role in shaping Singapore’s future cybersecurity talent pipeline. Supported by The Asia Foundation's APAC Cybersecurity Fund, the programme is part of a broader regional effort reaching 300,000 organisations and 600,000 individuals across 12 countries.
“Through this platform, our students are developing real-world expertise and also contributing directly to Singapore’s Cyber Safe and SMEs Go Digital initiatives,” he notes.
Ultimately, Poh says, the goal is to nurture industry-ready graduates while building a robust cybersecurity ecosystem. By empowering students to lead and engage directly with businesses, TP aims to cultivate a new generation of professionals critical to safeguarding the nation’s digital future.
Seeing theory turn into real-world impact
Muhammad Hamizan, a third-year student had the opportunity to experience firsthand how classroom knowledge could protect real businesses. During one session, his team found a company’s email domain lacked a Sender Policy Framework, DomainKeys Identified Mail, and DMARC checkers. This meant anyone could spoof emails appearing to come from the business. To tackle this, Hamizan and his team explained the risks in simple terms and guided the owner on safe setup.
He also ran a phishing segment with staff, showing them how to check sender domains, hover over links, and spot suspicious emails.
“The staff immediately spotted red flags in sample emails, and in that moment, it clicked how what we had learned in class could directly protect livelihoods and real businesses,” he shares.
Being student-led made the experience even more meaningful, with Hamizan noting that the students were not just observing; they were taking the lead and applying what they had learnt to real challenges. The clinic showed him how even small, informed interventions can make a meaningful difference to an organisation’s safety, confidence, and long-term growth.
The programme also revealed gaps in MSMEs’ cybersecurity. Some staff were unsure how to spot phishing attempts, and many businesses lacked proper authentication protocols. As Hamizan points out, this reinforced the importance of making cybersecurity accessible and practical for all.
“Seeing how our advice makes small business owners feel more confident has made me appreciate how learning at Temasek Polytechnic goes beyond the classroom and prepares us to make a real difference in the community,” he concludes.
Through the cybersecurity clinic, TP students are not only gaining real-world experience but also helping MSMEs build stronger digital defences. By applying their skills directly to business challenges, they are contributing to safer workplaces, more resilient companies, and a stronger cybersecurity ecosystem in Singapore.
Images / Provided
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