GCHQ backs Cambridge cyber security hackathon

GCHQ’s National Cyber Security Centre is backing a Cambridge, UK initiative to find the best ethical hackers to bolster global cyber security defences.

GCHQ says it is supporting Inter-ACE – the biggest cyber security competition for university students in the UK – at Cambridge University on March 16 and 17 to attract the best young minds into careers in the sector.

Now in its third year, the Cambridge showcase brings together 130 hackers from 18 of the UK’s top cyber security universities to compete for £10,000 in cash prizes and the chance to compete against the best of the US in ‘Cambridge2Cambridge’ – a transatlantic contest later this year. The 130 competitors, organised into 34 teams, will face over 20 challenges set by experts from the University of Cambridge and sponsors including Context IS and Palo Alto Networks.

Inter-ACE will simulate a number of scenarios, including working to prevent a cyber-attack on the infrastructure of a fictional city and the results of a successful tap on an undersea data cable.

Competitors will develop and hone penetrative testing skills. These skills include the binary reverse engineering of malware, breaking into a web application such as an online payment system, decoding secure communications and piecing together intercepted data.

Inter-ACE founder Professor Frank Stajano of the University of Cambridge, said “Protecting IT and infrastructure means understanding how it can be attacked.

“The head of the National Cyber Security Centre, Ciaran Martin, is absolutely right in that a major cyber-attack on the UK is a now matter of “when, not if” and we must recognise that the UK faces an urgent skills shortage.

“Inter-ACE gives future cyber security professionals the opportunity to test their skills against the best and meet others in their field and future employers. This is about engaging with the next generation of cyber security talent, and raising awareness of this vital, interesting and exciting career choice.

“It’s also about making the good work of cyber security professionals much more visible. Like other initiatives such as NCSC’s CyberFirst programme, the interesting experiences of the university students taking part in this year’s event will help to inspire those currently at school to consider a rewarding career in this field.”

Chris Ensor, deputy director for Skills and Growth at the NCSC, added: “The InterACE competition is a fantastic way to encourage bright young minds to hone their cyber knowledge further and meet like minded people.

“The cyber threat is growing, so making sure that young people have the cyber security skills to help protect us has never been more important. We at the NCSC hope the entrants will be inspired – and can perhaps inspire others – into starting a thrilling career defending the UK and helping make it the safest place to live and work online.”

Established through the UK’s National Cyber Security Strategy, the competition is sponsored by Microsoft, BT, Palo Alto and Context IS.