Broadband minister launches cyber security competition
- — 16 March, 2012 15:58
- ( 6 Comments )
Australia's first national cyber security competition, the 2012 Cyber Defence University Challenge, was launched today by broadband minister Senator Stephen Conroy.
The Challenge runs for 24 hours on 3 to 4 April, and will test the cyber problem-solving skills of teams of Australian undergraduates in a virtual network environment.
The ultimate prize, sponsored by Telstra, is travel and entry to the Black Hat 2012 Conference in Las Vegas in July 2012.
"The need for greater awareness of cyber security issues and for more high-skilled ICT graduates were two of the key themes to emerge from the public engagement process associated with the Government's Cyber White Paper, due for release later this year," Conroy said in a media release.
"The Challenge will raise awareness of the importance of cyber security, particularly in the university and business sectors, while also showcasing the diverse career opportunities for ICT graduates."
Undergraduates studying computer science and related degrees can register a team via their university with the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.
Further information is available from 2012CyberDefenceUniChallenge@pmc.gov.au
Contact Stilgherrian at Stil@stilgherrian.com or follow him on Twitter at @stilgherrian
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Comments
Jeff from Alice Springs
1
I'm just sick of this crap. Now we have the government paying to train hackers. Why don't we just start up a branch of government dedicated to training murderers? Now that I'd like to see!!!!!
Andrew
2
@Jeff: you realise that the Defence Signals Directorate is now the largest of all Australia's national intelligence agencies, right?
Stephen Wilson - Lockstep
3
Jeff from Alice Springs,
This is hardly the same thing as "[ethical] hacking", a term I'm relieved doesn't feature in Stilgherrian's coverage. The competition is about penetration testing. This is a discipline that might be likened to destructive testing in mechanical engineering. We do need to test cyber security measures to their limits, and we need people who are good at that -- in the lab.
On the other hand, if you were railing against "black hat hackers" like the vandals at Anonymous, then I would agree with you. The true motivation of those guys is murky. I don't accept that they act with pure intentions. Nobody could accept arson as a legitimate way of proving that a building's smoke detectors were faulty.
Shaun
4
Stephen, somewhere along the track our Government forgot that their job is to fulfill the needs of the people....now, the people serve the needs of Government. The Government , Stephen, needs to be reminded from time to time that we aren't all sheep. Anonymous serves that purpose. Our government is increasingly the tool of big money, with the little blokes needs ignored. They need a wake-up call.
Hooble
5
Seems some in here will not be entering.
David
6
Is there anything that we need to know for this competition?