Camaraderie: The key to a fulfilling career in Cybersecurity

Having spent around 20 years building her career around technology, Huey Shan was keen to use her skills to further HTD capabilities at HTX. 

HUeyShan3

Cybersecurity and the ketogenic diet may have little in common but for Chong Huey Shan, HTX’s Principal Engineer of Cybersecurity (Design and Assessment), both are similar in that they require the support of the people around you in order to sustain.

“I have spent around 20 years building my career around technology because it is something I enjoy doing. To continue doing what I love, I also embarked on the ketogenic diet (a low carb, high fat diet) some two years ago so I can perform at my best. The key to succeeding in both is to surround yourself with positive and supportive people,” said Huey Shan.

This was why when she was offered the opportunity to join HTX in September 2020, she leapt at the chance. 

huey shan 2
Chong Huey Shan, HTX’s Principal Engineer of Cybersecurity (Design and Assessment) has spent around 20 years building her career around technology (Photo Credit: HTX)

“I knew that joining HTX meant that I would be working with like-minded people who are all working towards the same goal of making a positive impact across Home Team Departments (HTDs). This is a purpose I relate to and the reason why I was very keen to join HTX,” she noted.

Technology is always evolving into something new. It’s very difficult if you are just trying to grasp everything new on your own but if you are among a team with good camaraderie, it makes learning and executing projects much easier.

In her current role, Huey Shan and her team at HTX’s Cybersecurity Centre of Expertise (CoE) look at enabling and securing the adoption of cutting-edge technology, operations and services across technology domains and Home Team Departments (HTDs).

“Everyone in the team lives and breathes cybersecurity. Technology is always evolving into something new. It’s very difficult if you are just trying to grasp everything new on your own but if you are among a team with good camaraderie, it makes learning and executing projects much easier,” she observed. 

HueyShan5
Huey Shan (second from right) and her team at HTX’s Cybersecurity CoE (Photo Credit: Chong Huey Shan)

The team’s scope includes developing a comprehensive suite of cybersecurity services and technology, monitoring security operations and proactively testing and identifying security vulnerabilities in systems. 

Additionally, the team also develops organisational security processes and conducts training and exercises for officers to respond and recover from complex cybersecurity crises and incidents. 

To be sure, Huey Shan has worked with most of her teammates at prior secondments at government agencies such as the Singapore Police Force (SPF), Prime Minister’s Office Singapore (PMO) and Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB). 

Illustrating her team’s camaraderie, Huey Shan cited the example of HTX’s 10,000 steps walk from its former office location at New Phoenix Park (NPPk) to its new home at MediaCorp Campus. 

“We knew that we had to take 10 photos of our team along our chosen route and we were all resolute in achieving this goal. All of us were looking out for ideal spots to take these photos and we had a lot of fun along the way,” she said.  

HueyShan4
Huey Shan (far right) and her team at HTX’s 10,000 steps journey from NPPk to MediaCorp Campus (Photo Credit: Chong Huey Shan)

All things considered, Huey Shan likens the working environment of HTX to that of a tech start-up in that it has a fun, vibrant atmosphere and there are many opportunities to advance science and technology.  

“In our team, we always say, ‘Given time, you can break any tech’, so it is our job to ensure that we keep updating ourselves with the latest technology and skills to ensure that we are a step ahead. In this way, there’s always something to look forward to when I come to work and this is also what gives me a great sense of fulfilment and purpose at HTX,” she revealed. 

Work aside, Huey Shan has become an advocate for the ketogenic diet, or at least within her team. “Some of my teammates were curious about my diet and so I would speak to them about it. Even if they are not into it, at least they are aware of why I would just order chicken rice without rice during lunch and will lend their moral support,” she quipped.

Yu Yang 1-min
HTX Intern Stories: “I took an unconventional detour and it opened up an array of career opportunities”
READ MORE
Michael Vong 1
From private to public sector: Michael Vong on navigating a mid-career switch
READ MORE