At 41, Eugene has repeatedly redefined what it means to lead and innovate. From engineer to sales marketer, entrepreneur to Deputy CEO, he has continually charted unconventional paths — and in doing so, helped shape Singapore’s cybersecurity landscape. His recognition as a Twitch Partner further demonstrates his forward-thinking approach, extending his influence into new digital arenas.
And it all began at SIM.
Starting From Where You Are
As a teenager, Eugene wasn’t strong academically, but he had an interest in games. This led him to computers, which became his gateway to a larger world of technology.Encouraged by his friends, Eugene enrolled in the SIM-University of Wollongong (UOW)’s Bachelor of Computer Science (Digital Systems Security), drawn by its practical and applied approach to learning.
During his time at SIM, he balanced full-time studies with part-time work as a LAN shop technician, gaining hands-on technical experience even before graduation.
“I wanted to graduate with some work experience,” he explained. “And because the course had a lot of practical exposure, it helped me land my first job.”
As one of the pioneer cybersecurity degree programmes available in Singapore, SIM-UOW's certification was highly valued and gave Eugene the jumpstart he needed — he became the first SIM-UOW graduate to join Netrust, the only Accredited Certification Authority in Singapore which specialises in secure digital identities and electronic transactions for governments, banks and enterprises in Asia.
As a Systems Engineer, he had a front-row seat to the emerging importance of cybersecurity, positioning him at the forefront of a critical, burgeoning industry.
New Beginnings, New Possibilities
Three years into the job, Eugene made a bold pivot into sales at a multinational company.“The main driver was my desire to build strong sales experience. I already had deep technical experience, but I wanted to be effective in sales too.”
Starting from scratch, he learnt to navigate distribution chains and regional sales operations, eventually rising to Country Manager for Singapore and Brunei. His combined technical and sales expertise allowed him not just to lead teams but to transform internal delivery processes, setting new benchmarks in operational efficiency.
Eugene’s vision and market insight led him to co-found Titan Security, one of Singapore’s early cybersecurity implementation firms—a move that helped define an entirely new segment of the industry.
Creating New Markets Frontiers
“When we started, there were very few cybersecurity implementation services in Singapore,” he recalled.Titan Security’s early success confirmed his insight. The firm secured key partners during their growth phases, including Netrust, which later invested in and eventually acquired Titan Security. There, Eugene served as Business Development Manager, paving the way for the industry to expand.
“Titan provided a pathway for services that complemented Netrust’s offerings,” Eugene explained. “After Titan Security was sold, more service companies started entering the market."
“Today, distributors have also matured and are taking on some of those services themselves.”
Innovating Through Lifelong Learning
While Eugene could have stayed on this stable path, he wasn’t content to stay in his comfort zone. So, he left once more, diving deeper into sales and business development roles in other companies and accumulating experience in managing teams, scaling operations, and navigating complex client portfolios.When Eugene eventually rejoined Netrust in 2020 as Deputy CEO, he brought a rare combination of technical mastery, strategic vision, and entrepreneurial insight. This toolkit could only be forged through repeated reinvention.
These days, Eugene has picked up livestreaming on Twitch.
Twitch streaming isn’t just a hobby. It’s an extension of his belief in pursuing lifelong learning.
“The ability to present is definitely a strong skill I’ve gained through streaming,” Eugene asserted. “I now deliver more engaging presentations and connect better with younger audiences.”
This also enables him to leverage social media platforms to strengthen Netrust’s online presence among younger audiences, improving its staff recruitment and retention rate.
To his juniors, Eugene advises, “Take two very different passions and get good at both. Everyone has their own mix, and that’s what helps you stand out in the industry. Don’t be afraid to explore and experiment.”
After all, his personal journey shows that being a trailblazer isn’t about getting everything right the first time.
It’s about having the courage to explore, the humility to start over, and the curiosity to keep going — and in doing so, creating new paths for others to follow.