By Barry Collins
Posted on 27 Apr 2010 at 10:49
The UK security industry is launching a series of online games in a bid to identify the next generation of security experts.
The scheme is being run by Cyber Security Challenge UK, a consortium of security organisations that include the Metropolitan Police and the Institute of Information Security Professionals. The scheme is supported by the Cabinet Office.
The challenge hopes to identify young people who have the necessary skills to forge a career in IT security.
Judy Baker, the director of the Cyber Security Challenge, told PC Pro that there’s a desperate shortage of IT security experts in the UK. “Companies can’t get the people they need, they’re just not good enough,” she said. “Raising awareness [of IT security] is part of our aspiration to draw in talented people.”
The Challenge will consist of two stages. The first round involves a series of online games designed to identify candidates with specific security skills. The games will concentrate on topics such as network defence, forensics and identifying website vulnerabilities.
The winners of the first round will progress to face-to-face challenges at a yet unnamed venue. Prizes for the eventual winners will include scholarships with security companies or IT training courses. “It has been suggested that we’re blind dating here!” said Baker, noting how the scheme matches up future security professionals with companies.
“We’re targeting people from age 16 upwards. Younger people often do better than experienced professionals [at solving security problems],” she added.
The challenge is expected to start in the autumn.
