A first year university student has won this year’s Cyber Security Challenge UK at the GCHQ-sponsored event in Bristol.
The Cyber Security Masterclass final took place at HP Labs in Bristol, where the programme for the 2012/13 challenge was also revealed.
The winner was Jonathon Millican, a first year student at Cambridge University, studying computer science. He beat off competition from 30 other finalists by demonstrating outstanding technical, communication and leadership skills.
He beat thousands in a series of online and face to face challenges over the past six months to claim a prize worth over GB pound 100,000.
Millican said, “I’ve never really thought about cyber security. The degree I’m currently undertaking in computer science was largely out of general interest in the subject. This award has acted as validation that I might have the skills to become a cyber security professional.
“What’s important is that what I have learned through this process has not just come from undertaking the competitions but from the people I have met, both candidates and professionals that together have offered a fantastic insight into an industry within which I am now seriously considering a career.”
<a href=”http://www.info4security.com/story.asp?sectioncode=12&storycode=4126937″>Last year’s winner Dan Summers</a> – a postman from Leeds – made the move from delivering post to protecting it, as he joined the Royal Mail’s own cyber security team.
Real-world scenario developed by HP and Cassidian
The scenarios faced by the 30 finalists are a representation of real world security challenges where teams had to identify the problem and the solution, as well as selling it to the company’s key decision makers.
Cassidian’s cyber defence lead Roy Matthews, said, “The Masterclass is designed to be a true representation of what cyber security professionals are up against, so it’s hard work, varied, intensive and hugely rewarding. Everyone who took part now understands the reality of working in this industry.”
Richard Brown from HP Labs meanwhile praised the challenge, saying, “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 organisations today.
“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.”
GCHQ director general Jonathon Hoyle said of the event, “It is through initiatives such as this that organisations, be they in the public or private sector, can continue to develop and maintain our leading edge in cyberspace by being able to recruit the right people with the right skills.”
2012/13 Cyber Security Challenge revealed
Event director Judy Baker also gave details of next year’s challenge, which will launch in April. The challenge will be even bigger and represent a more varied challenge for budding professionals. Competition writers will include BT, Get Safe Online and (ISC)2.
The <a href=”http://www.cybersecuritychallenge.org.uk/”>Cyber Security Challenge website</a> will also become a greater resource for professionals and students interested in pursuing a career in the cyber security industry.
There will be answers to candidates questions on courses and careers, and the resource will continue to grow in the coming months.
Among the new elements of the annual challenge will be the first non-technical stream of competition, focusing on risk analysis and policy development.
Baker said, “This is our most ambitious programme 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.”