Cambridge first year student wins U.K. Cybersecrity Challenge competition

from delivering the post to keeping it safe when he was asked to become part of Royal Mail’s own cyber security team.

The Masterclass Final
The team from HP and Cassidian that put together the Masterclass — a simulation of a company experiencing security challenges within which finalists have to identify the problem, identify the solution, and sell it to the company’s decision makers – felt the test they put in front of the Challenge’s 30 finalists was representative of the real world.

“The Masterclass is designed to be a true representation of what cyber security professionals are up against, explains Roy Matthews, Cassidian’s Cyber Defense Lead. “So it’s hard work, varied, intensive and hugely rewarding. Everyone who took part now understands the reality of working in this industry.”

HP and The Cyber Security Challenge are inspiring people to develop the skills needed for successful careers in cyber security, by highlighting the real cyber threats facing organizations today,” explained Richard Brown, HP Labs, Senior Research Manager. “This is the second Masterclass HP has been proud to host, and is a demonstration of our commitment to improving the UK’s IT cyber security skills and boosting employment in our dynamic IT sector generally.”

2012-13 Challenge Competitions Program Launched
The release notes that at the same event Judy Baker, director of the Cyber Security Challenge U.K. gave an overview of the Challenge’s program for 2012-13.  Jay Abbott, director of threat and vulnerability from PwC, who chairs the Challenge Competitions Board, described the competitions which begin in April and represent a bigger, more varied challenge for budding professionals.  (ISC)2, BT, and Get Safe Online have all joined the Challenge as competition writers.

Baker also announced the release of a raft of new guidance, advice, and information through the Challenge Web site, including sponsors’ answers to candidate questions on careers and courses. The Challenge will be continuing to develop this resource, building up the information available to help inform those interested in learning opportunities or careers in cyber security.

“Every new Challenge program is designed to expand the opportunities on offer for non-professionals to build a career in cyber security,” explains Baker. “This is our most ambitious program yet. It combines competitions, education opportunities, career enhancing experiences, a wealth of online guidance, and networking events to make the Challenge a valued source of information and learning about how to become a cyber security professional. We are gearing up for new candidates to register with us today and be kept informed as each new competition comes on line.”

Anyone interested in registering for the new Challenge program should visit the Web site for more information.