The final of the Cyber Security Challenge UK 2015 is well underway, with 42 contestants taking part in a simulated real-life cyber-terrorism incident, pitting their wits together in an attempt to identify and overcome the threat.
The two-day ‘Masterclass’ event is being hosted in the dramatic surroundings of HMS Belfast, moored on the banks of London’s Thames river. The winners will be announced on Friday evening.
In the fictional scenario, participants must prevent the misuse of a naval gun system which has been hacked by cyber-terrorists, and is pointed directly at London’s City Hall. They must find out how the group infiltrated the network, regain control, and also search for vulnerabilities within critical national infrastructure systems to ensure these are not also open to infiltration.
The high-level task was designed by experts from BT, GCHQ, NCA, Lockheed Martin, Airbus, C3IA and Palo Alto Networks.
Partners and sponsors of the flagship event were on hand to explain the motivations behind the Masterclass session, and what the contestants were expected to gain from the day.
BT’s Rob Partridge said that the event “gives candidates the chance to interface with industry. There is a big skills gap, and we have the need to find more people.”
Mark Hughes, President of BT Security, told Infosecurity that participants must demonstrate “individual excellence.” He added that, in addition to hard tech skills such as vulnerability analysis and pen-testing, the finalists must also exhibit logical and problem-solving skills, as well as teamwork and leadership.
No tags.
