A competition has been launched in the UK to try and discover the next generation of IT security workers.
Established in 2010, the Cyber Security Challenge is a 12-month long series of tasks which, at its conclusion, will establish the UK's most capable cyber warrior. It'll judge just how well its competitors can defeat the threat of cyber attacks launched within simulated hack scenarios - ultimately using actual malware of the kind used by hackers today - and it'll assess their ability to identify the source of the attacks, too.
The 2011 Cyber Security Challenge was initiated on 1 June and it's supported by a whole raft of sponsors including defence technology organisation QinetiQ, accounting firm PWC and computer security company Sophos, along with HP Labs, Cassidian and SANS Institute.
Prospective entrants are encouraged to register their details at the official Cyber Security Challenge competition website.
Earlier this year, the winner of the initial Cyber Security Challenge was announced as Dan Summers. At approximately the same time, data issued by UK government organisation e-Skills highlighted how, between 2005 and 2010, there was a 50 per cent drop in the number of new IT security workers.
The shortfall inspired the creation of this annual event which, in its first year, attracted 4,000 competitors, according to comments made by its director, Judy Baker, at the 2010 Challenge's conclusion.
"The idea started because of the skills shortage in cyber security", she said, adding: "It is clear that companies and government bodies are having huge problems finding the talent they need."
"Last year's Challenge was a great success and we learned a great deal from our first batch of candidates", PWC representative Jay Abbott stated, in a press release published online at the Cyber Security Challenge 2011 website.
"By feeding that back into our competition structure and design, this year's Challenge is going to be bigger and a more comprehensive test that truly showcases the array of experiences encountered in a professional cyber security environment.
"It offers a great introduction to those making a first attempt, and something different for those testing their mettle for the second time."
See also:
MoD to Recruit Cyber Security Army
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