Anushika Babu
April 14, 2023

AppSec Careers in Singapore: Required Skills, Job Market, and Training Opportunities

Table of Contents:

  1. What is Application Security?
  2. Scope of AppSec Jobs in Singapore
  3. Required Skills for AppSec Jobs in Singapore
  4. How To Get An Application Security Job in Singapore in 2023?
  5. Conclusion

With the rise of digitalization, implementing stringent Application Security (AppSec) regulations has become paramount for organizations worldwide. It has been reported that the AppSec market size in terms of revenue is expected to reach USD 13.2 billion by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 16.1%. 

These numbers show the growing importance of AppSec among businesses, opening up diverse job opportunities for IT professionals who specialize in this domain.

Singapore has emerged as a popular IT haven due to its strategic location in Asia-Pacific. Singaporean laws and policies are cohesive for IT startups, SMBs, and even large corporations and help businesses grow and sustain in their thriving market. Businesses who open their offshore branch in Singapore or outsource talent from here can rest assured of the highest standards and compliance with cyber security norms.

For businesses, that means access to cutting-edge security measures and a considerably smaller risk of losing data. With Singapore at the epicenter of the Asia-Pacific cybersecurity push, IT professionals in the region have firsthand knowledge of the most recent application security developments.

This blog will explore the scope of AppSec jobs in Singapore in 2023 and beyond. We will also touch upon training programs from We45 that can help aspiring AppSec engineers enhance their skills and knowledge.

What is Application Security?

Application Security, or AppSec for short, is all about ensuring that the applications we use daily, whether a website or a mobile app, are safe and secure from cyber threats- unauthorized access, data breach, and other malicious activities. 

AppSec keeps applications secure throughout their software development life cycle (SDLC). This includes designing, coding, testing, and deploying the app. AppSec experts work tirelessly to identify and address vulnerabilities and risks that hackers could exploit. They do this by protecting the application infrastructure and ensuring sensitive data is kept safe from theft, tampering, or unauthorized access.

Now, AppSec is a complex field requiring expertise in many different areas. You must know about software development, network security, cryptography, and compliance regulations. It's a constantly evolving field, so staying up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies is integral.

Scope of Appsec Jobs in Singapore in 2023 and Beyond

Singapore has established itself as a leading tech hub, attracting top-notch talent and investments from across the globe. With the rapid growth of the technology sector in Singapore, the demand for AppSec professionals has also increased significantly. 

Application Security engineers play a vital role in ensuring the security and reliability of software applications, making them indispensable in the tech industry.

The scope of Application Security jobs in Singapore is expected to grow as businesses continue to invest in digital transformation and security. Companies across various industries, such as finance, healthcare, e-commerce, and government agencies, require AppSec professionals to secure their applications and systems.

Here are a few potential roles you can explore as an Application Security professional in Singapore:

  • Application Security Engineer
  • Penetration Tester
  • Security Analyst
  • Security Consultant
  • Security Architect
  • Security Operations Center (SOC) Analyst
  • Vulnerability Management Specialist
  • Cybersecurity Engineer
  • Information Security Manager
  • Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)

Note that this list is not exhaustive, and there may be other job titles and roles in the application security field in Singapore. The roles can be categorized into several domains: application development, infrastructure security, vulnerability assessment, and risk management.

As Singapore continues to promote its Smart Nation initiative, which aims to harness technology to improve people's lives, the need for AppSec professionals is expected to rise in areas such as IoT (Internet of Things), cloud computing, and mobile app development.

Required Skills for AppSec Jobs in Singapore

AppSec jobs require a wide range of skills and expertise, including technical and non-technical skills. 

Here are some of the essential skills required for AppSec jobs in Singapore:

  • Experience in software development in a production environment, with a deep understanding of web application architecture and common vulnerabilities
  • Ability to identify and analyze security flaws in software and communicate effective solutions to developers and product teams
  • Strong communication and collaboration skills, with a track record of working closely with development and operations teams to integrate security into the software development lifecycle
  • A proactive mindset that challenges industry norms and seeks innovative solutions to security challenges
  • Experience in threat modeling and the ability to think like an attacker to identify potential risks and develop effective mitigations
  • Ability to design and implement mitigations for common classes of bugs

As for required qualifications, here’s what you need to look out for:

  • In-depth knowledge and experience in authentication, including identity management and multi-factor authentication (MFA/2FA).
  • Proficiency in applied cryptography, including public key infrastructure (PKI), cryptographic primitives, digital signatures, hashing, and HMACs.
  • Experience in application service hardening, including compliance with industry standards such as CIS and NSA/DOD STIGs.
  • Expertise in authorization, including claims, role-based access control (RBAC), fine-grained and coarse-grained access control, XACML, OAUTH, and SAML.
  • Strong understanding of web services security, including WS-Security, OAuth, and JSON Web Tokens (JWT).
  • Experience working with static source code review tools such as Fortify, AppScan Source, and Contrast.
  • Coding experience in one or more general-purpose programming languages.
  • Mobile app development experience is a plus.

As for educational qualifications, an AppSec professional must be:

  • Must have relevant certifications like Certified Security Software Lifecycle Professional (CSSLP) and Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
  • A Bachelor's degree in engineering, information security, computer science, or a related field
  • A Master's degree in an IT-related field is desirable, and a Master's in cybersecurity is highly preferred

Being an AppSec Engineer in Singapore requires a diverse set of technical skills, along with strong communication and collaboration skills. This is because Application Security Engineers work closely with development and operations teams to integrate security into the software development lifecycle. 

AppSec Engineers must have a proactive mindset to stay updated with the latest trends and methodologies constantly.

How To Get An Application Security Job in Singapore in 2023?

Relevant work experience in software development or information security can greatly increase your chances of securing an AppSec job in Singapore. Look for opportunities to gain experience in relevant areas such as authentication, authorization, cryptography, and web application security.

As mentioned earlier, possessing industry-recognized certifications such as CSSLP and CCISSP can make your resume stand out and increase your chances of being hired.

Subscribe to industry newsletters, follow relevant social media accounts and blogs, and attend relevant conferences and events to stay up-to-date with the latest news and trends in the application security field.

Attend industry events like the SGHack event, join relevant professional associations and groups, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn to build your network in the application security field. Building relationships with professionals in the industry can help you learn about job opportunities.

Build a strong online presence, including a professional website and social media profiles highlighting your skills and expertise in application security. 

Consider contributing to relevant open-source projects, writing blog posts or articles, or speaking at relevant events to demonstrate your knowledge and skills.

Conclusion

Singapore's application security field is expected to see continued growth and demand for skilled professionals in 2023 and beyond. To pursue a career in this field, possessing the relevant technical skills, certifications, and education is essential.

Attending relevant training programs and courses can greatly enhance your knowledge and skills in application security. we45 will be conducting Instructor Led Training (ILTs) at the SGHack event in May 2023, covering various application security topics. You can learn from our expert trainers, mingle with industry peers, and learn about the latest AppSec measures while having fun!

If you cannot attend the SGHack event, don't worry. we45 offers ILTs throughout the year. Contact us to get AppSec training tailored for your organization.