Cyber ChallengeCyber Challenge encourages teen hackers to seek security jobs

Published 28 October 2011

In the eyes of the organizers of the Maryland Cyber Challenge and Conference, today’s hacker could be tomorrow’s cybersecurity hero; a recent two-day conference at the Baltimore Convention Center, which ended 22 October 2011, was part career fair, part talent show to give college and high school students an idea of how to turn their interest in computers into high-paying jobs

Intense competition is the expectation // Source: scoop.it

In the eyes of the organizers of the Maryland Cyber Challenge and Conference, today’s hacker could be tomorrow’s cybersecurity hero. The search for such a hero stems from a current lack of cybersecurity professionals and an increasing number of cyber attacks nationwide on citizens, corporations, and governmental institutions over the past decade. Local and national officials believe that by introducing the prospect of working in the field of cybersecurity to those who are still getting their education, the United States would be better equipped to combat cyberattacks in the coming years.

A Baltimore Sun reported that a recent two-day conference at the Baltimore Convention Center, which ended 22 October 2011, was part career fair, part talent show to give college and high school students an idea of how to turn their interest in computers into high-paying jobs. The convention had recruiters from high-technology companies and defense contractors set up booths next to representatives from universities and the National Security Agency (NSA). Speakers extolled the job security that comes with the business of computer security.

The digital age in America is still only in its infant stages and with it comes the ever-expanding cybersecurity sector, with experts in the field always looking for innovative ways to get ahead. One route is through the younger generation of citizens who have grown up with technology and have developed a certain passion for it. “We need a whole generation of people to help us build out the digital future,” said Michael Kaiser, executive director of the National Cybersecurity Alliance. “This has been a part of their lives since Day One.”

There’s a shortage of science and engineering students across the country, and only a handful of schools in Maryland have computer science staff and courses,” said Caroline Baker, a conference founder and the director of corporate relations at University of Maryland, Baltimore. “We want to raise the awareness of students about careers and degree programs and make it fun.”

The pursuit of new cybersecurity recruits has also been on DHS’ agenda  as a report from Fox News earlier this year found that the CIA estimated there are only about one thousand people who have the capacity to properly protect our infrastructure where around thirty thousand are probably needed.  This lack of proper security has led  some studies to estimate that American businesses lose up to one trillion dollars a year through cyber crime.

Students at the conference were presented not only with the option of exploring the booths of representatives, but also the chance to take part in the ‘Cyber Challenge’, an all-day brain tester for eight high school and eight college teams. The college students had to hack into a computer, gain control, and rummage through files for valuable information. Meanwhile the high-schoolers were required to defend six computer servers against attacks by cunning computer professionals seated across the room. 

Ethical hackers” who attract the attention of NSA talent scouts might be offered full college tuition and other perks under the Stokes Educational Scholarship Program, said Cindy Smith, an agency recruiter. The Stokes program is for high school seniors planning on majoring in computer science or electrical engineering. In addition to tuition and other expenses, students receive a stipend and hold summer jobs at the NSA. After graduation, they are required to work at the Anne Arundel County-based agency in their area of study for up to five years. “We’re giving them the hacking opportunities they want in a legal manner,” Smith said.