^[1] ABCD is a cost-effective, holistic solution that implements the CSA Be Safe Online Essentials (which are CSA’s guidelines on essential cybersecurity measures) and deals with common attacks like ransomware and phishing attacks using malicious files that are opened at an organisation’s endpoints. It integrates various components such as multiple anti-virus engines, anti-malware analytics, application control engine, entity and user behavior analytics, encryption mechanism, etc.

^[2] As at Jul 2021, there are two MSSPs for ABCD, Lumen Technologies and Toffs Technologies. They have different pricing policies due to their respective business models and not due to the cost of the technical solutions.

* PDPA refers to Personal Data Protection Act 2012 and DPTM refers to the Data Protection Trustmark (issued by Infocomm Media Development Authority).

PDPA Grant - To underscore the importance of complying with the PDPA and to better support credit co-operatives in managing members’ personal data, the PDPA grant is available to credit co-operatives from 1 April 2020 to co-fund PDPA-related expenditure, such as consultancy, audit, legal advice and DPTM expenses. To recognise credit co-operatives’ earlier efforts to implement PDPA measures, credit co-operatives can claim for PDPA expenses incurred from 1 April 2019.

Changes to the PDPA Grant (with effect from 1 February 2021):

• The PDPA Grant is open to all co-operatives which fulfil the prerequisites and conditions listed below. Before 1 February 2021, the PDPA Grant was only applicable to credit co-operatives.
• Grant applications can be made for PDPA-related training expenses in addition to other qualifying expenses i.e.: (i) consultancy and audit; (ii) legal advice; and (iii) application fees and assessment fees for the DPTM. This change is retrospectively applied to credit co-operatives, i.e. applications for training expenses incurred from 1 April 2019 are eligible for reimbursement if the grant criteria are met.
• Where an expense item is partly funded by other grant(s), a co-operative can apply for 80% of the unfunded balance amount of expense under the PDPA Grant. This change is retrospectively applied to credit co-operatives, i.e. applications for unfunded balance amount of expense incurred from 1 Apr 2019 are eligible for reimbursement if the grant criteria are met.

Cybersecurity Grant - The Cybersecurity Grant provides recurring co-funding for co-operatives to subscribe to the Cyber Security Agency’s (‘CSA’) Call for Innovation awarded Asset-Based Cyber Defence (‘ABCD’) Security-as-a-Service (‘SaaS’) cybersecurity solution.^[1] The ABCD solution is offered by Managed Security Service Providers (‘MSSPs’).^[2] MSSPs provide outsourced monitoring and management of security devices and systems (e.g. security protection, security monitoring, and responding to alerts and cybersecurity incidents).
Progressive Workplace Grant - The Progressive Workplace Grant, available from 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2023, aims to encourage co-operatives to adopt Tripartite Standards (‘TS’) issued by the Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices (‘TAFEP’). It also recognises the efforts of co-operatives that have already adopted the TS.  A co-operative can receive the one-off grant of $4,000 if it has adopted one or more TS before 1 January 2024 and met other qualifying conditions.  TAFEP was set up by the tripartite partners, Ministry of Manpower, NTUC and Singapore National Employers Federation), to promote progressive employment practices and the TS. Please refer to https://www.tal.sg/tafep/getting-started/progressive/tripartite-standards for the TS and application process.

PREREQUISITES AND CONDITIONS

a.   The Co-operative must be registered with the Registry of Co-operative Societies. 

b.   Except for the PDPA Grant and the Cybersecurity Grant, the CCF Special Grants are also available to co-operatives with negative net worth and/or did not contribute to the CCF due to operating deficits based on their latest audited financial statements.

c.   (i) For the PDPA Grant, the Co-operative shall declare if it will be applying for, has applied for, is receiving, or has received any grant from a government agency and/or other organisation for the same expense item. Where the expense item is partly funded by other grant(s), the Co-operative will only be eligible to apply for 80% of the unfunded balance amount of expense under the PDPA Grant.

(ii) For the other Special Grants, the condition is that the Co-operative is not receiving or has not received any grant from a government agency and/or other organisation for the same expense item.

(iii) The Co-operative may also tap on the CCF Development Grant to fund the portion of expense not covered by the Special Grants. For example, a credit co-operative can claim 80% of the outsourced internal audit expense from the Outsourced Internal Audit Grant under the CCF Special Grants and the remaining 20% from the CCF Development Grant. 

d.   Endorsement from the Co-operative’s Committee of Management indicating their support for application.

e.   For goods or services above $3,000 in value, the Co-operative needs to show that it has obtained a minimum of three quotations from vendors of comparable scope. 

f.    Grant applications submitted are for expenses incurred not more than 12 months ago (except for credit co-operatives’ applications for training expenses and unfunded balance amount incurred from 1 April 2019 under PDPA Grant).

g.   The Co-operative must not have outstanding CCF contributions or late payment penalties.

h.   Grant must only be used for the Co-operative’s expenses. It cannot be used for its subsidiary (if any) that is registered as a company.

i.    The Co-operative must submit the invoice and proof of payment to the vendor.

j.    For legal, outsourced internal audit, consultancy, cybersecurity and other professional services, the Co-operative must provide the contract or agreement with the vendor.

k.   For Outsourced Internal Audit Grant, the scope of audit must include members’ deposits and/or loans.

l.    For the Minimum Competency Training Grant, the Co-operative must provide a certificate of attendance or other documentary proof upon completion for the short-term course; and a copy of professional certification, diploma or degree for the long-term course.

m.  The Cybersecurity Grant covers expenses incurred to subscribe to the ABCD solution, including software, hardware, professional services, training, etc. The Co-operative need not submit the minimum of three quotations so long as the selected vendor is an MSSP providing the CSA’s ABCD solution.

n.  For Progressive Workplace Grant, the Co-operative must provide an email confirmation from TAFEP that it has adopted one or more TS before 1 January 2024.  Each standard may be adopted independently.

o.  The Progressive Workplace Grant is not available to co-operatives which have already been issued winding up orders, are currently undergoing liquidation, are dormant or have ceased operations.

APPLICATION

To apply, please download application form and submit:

1. Following worksheet tabs in the Application Forms*:

     • CCF Special Grant Front Page
     • CCF Special Grant - Summary
     • Any other tabs applicable

Kindly ensure every single worksheet tab submitted is signed.

2. Supporting Documents e.g. invoices, receipts, certificates etc.