Some 30 of the UK’s most skilled amateur cyber security enthusiasts will head to Bletchley Park on Saturday to compete in a unique cyber-gladiatorial battle to determine those with the talent to protect the UK from hackers and computer viruses. SANS NetWars is the latest round of the Cyber Security Challenge UK, a nationwide competition to bring more talented people into the cyber security profession and address a critical skills shortage in the sector that affects Government bodies, businesses and citizens alike.
The choice of Bletchley Park, which during the Second World War was the site of the UK’s main decryption establishment is symbolic and highlights the need for an increasingly well trained response to growing cyber criminality and espionage says Stephanie Daman, CEO of the Cyber Security Challenge: “The efforts by the teams at Bletchley over 60 years ago should remind us what can be achieved by bringing together the right people. Today in the UK finding those with the talent to protect us from the increasing threat of cybercrime is a fundamental priority. As a result we are delighted to tap into the history and achievements of Bletchley Park by hosting our first ever face-to-face competition at this historic centre for our profession.”
During NetWars contestants will compete in a simulated environment to test their defensive, analysis, and offensive cyber skills, fighting off intruders while trying to take over other target systems and networks. After three hours of intensive competition, the top six ranked competitors will be announced, securing a place at the Challenge’s Masterclass final to be held next March.
NetWars, provided by the SANS Institute, is a hands-on interactive learning cyber range used by organisations around the globe. Players are challenged to explore common vulnerabilities and show an understanding of the impact of deploying insecure systems. Players have to demonstrate their ability to research the issues and effectively execute attacks. “This is a great opportunity for the Cyber Security Challenge contestants to test their skills in a real life, practical way. NetWars allows us to assess and highlight the capabilities of UK InfoSec professionals,” says Tom Carver, Director of Cyber Talent at the SANS Institute, “It is one of the toughest challenges the contestants will face but feedback is always so positive because it’s great fun too.”
Competitors heading to Bletchley include Adam Rutherford and Stephen Hirst who came through the SANS Packet Capture Analysis qualifying Challenge in which entrants were presented with a network packet capture file to analyse, with the aim of locating and interpreting network and web application attacks.
Anyone interested in entering or sponsoring or finding out more about the Cyber Security Challenge should visit https://cybersecuritychallenge.org.uk/
