IDA or NCS

[Cryophoenix]

Thanks for all the responses, especially the detailed feedback by colgate and davidktw.

Unfortunately, I didn't get to read the replies from 2017 until today.

Anyway, since I created this thread 4 years ago, I'd just like to provide a brief update on my situation. Hopefully my experiences will help others who read this forum topic in the future.

For my first job after graduation (Computer Science), I went to IDA (now known as IMDA) to do policy work related to IT and Smart Nation initiative. The work was really interesting and I learned a lot, especially when I was working alongside folks from GovTech. I was also involved in cyber security projects during my last year there, and I was seconded to Cyber Security Agency for a while to learn how they handle cyber incidents at a national agency-wide level (Wannacry, Data Breaches).

In 2018, I left for a Big 4 firm to do cyber security (risk management) consulting and it has been a good learning opportunity for me as I am exposed to different projects and clients. Suffice to say, no two projects are the same and I got to work with both private and public sector clients.

I was indeed rather concerned about skills transferability during the transition from public to private sector. Fortunately, the skills I learned doing policy work in IDA were transferable to my consulting position later on, especially when it comes to solution formulation and project management.

 

[Azzizz81]

Thanks for all the responses, especially the detailed feedback by colgate and davidktw.

Unfortunately, I didn't get to read the replies from 2017 until today.

Anyway, since I created this thread 4 years ago, I'd just like to provide a brief update on my situation. Hopefully my experiences will help others who read this forum topic in the future.

For my first job after graduation (Computer Science), I went to IDA (now known as IMDA) to do policy work related to IT and Smart Nation initiative. The work was really interesting and I learned a lot, especially when I was working alongside folks from GovTech. I was also involved in cyber security projects during my last year there, and I was seconded to Cyber Security Agency for a while to learn how they handle cyber incidents at a national agency-wide level (Wannacry, Data Breaches).

In 2018, I left for a Big 4 firm to do cyber security (risk management) consulting and it has been a good learning opportunity for me as I am exposed to different projects and clients. Suffice to say, no two projects are the same and I got to work with both private and public sector clients.

I was indeed rather concerned about skills transferability during the transition from public to private sector. Fortunately, the skills I learned doing policy work in IDA were transferable to my consulting position later on, especially when it comes to solution formulation and project management.

Did you do any technical work in IDA+

Sent from your kar cheng kang using GAGT

 

[Cryophoenix]

Did you do any technical work in IDA+

Sent from your kar cheng kang using GAGT

Not much for IDA, most of the technical work I did was when I was working with people from GovTech and during my time in CSA.

The technical work at GovTech/CSA was mainly basic scripting using Python and C++ (for penetration testing and attack simulation), but the bulk of the work was mainly looking at PCAP files for malware attribution and monitoring the threat intel platform.

Also, I'd say that IMDA is more for generalists, while GovTech is where one should go for technical people. So it depends on one's personal interest and preference.

 

[jgyy1990]

currently working in one of the company ts mentioned about.I am more towards the devops role (not just culture) than systems integrator

 

[arfness]

I was at an SI company and i despise that industry and will never go back, only went because i was desperate. You have to bend over backwards for the client (obviously, because the client is paying), you get thrown into projects which are an complete mess, work OT till you die (300+ hours per month), then get transferred to next project and repeat. My favourite was working cross vendors who all HATE each other.
NCS, Accenture, Tech M, HCL on the same project doing different things, now they all have to work together LOL! One plays the other one to get them in trouble so that government departments favour them, blah pointless BS.

Lucky enough to eventually get away and work for a company on in-house software, stress level -100000, nice colleagues, my own desk.

 

[havetheveryfun]

I was at an SI company and i despise that industry and will never go back, only went because i was desperate. You have to bend over backwards for the client (obviously, because the client is paying), you get thrown into projects which are an complete mess, work OT till you die (300+ hours per month), then get transferred to next project and repeat. My favourite was working cross vendors who all HATE each other.
NCS, Accenture, Tech M, HCL on the same project doing different things, now they all have to work together LOL! One plays the other one to get them in trouble so that government departments favour them, blah pointless BS.

Lucky enough to eventually get away and work for a company on in-house software, stress level -100000, nice colleagues, my own desk.

your current company is SME or MNC?

 

[arfness]

your current company is SME or MNC?

SME. I way prefer smaller companies with less red tape, more hands on, less places to hide, people take accountability for their actions.

 

[Azzizz81]

SME. I way prefer smaller companies with less red tape, more hands on, less places to hide, people take accountability for their actions.

Sounds good. How do you find the benefits?

Sent from your kar cheng kang using GAGT

 

[stmgmg]

My colleague moved from IMDA to NCS cuz he said they think themselves as tech ppl and they are not