Cyber Security Challenge UK opens

The UK’s first national competition to find future cyber security experts has been launched, with prizes on offer including university grants.

The Cyber Security Challenge UK was opened in London yesterday by Baroness Neville-Jones, Minister for Security. The competition involves a series of online and face-to-face challenges designed by leading security, education and government organisations and aims to identify people suited to a career in cyber security.

“Cyberspace is woven into the fabric of our society; it is integral to our economy, our communities and our security. Defending all of our interests in cyberspace is a relatively small cadre of talented and highly skilled public sector and private sector cyber security professionals,” said Baroness Neville-Jones. “This pool of professionals must grow and the Cyber Security Challenge UK offers an innovative and exciting way of attracting talented individuals to take up rewarding careers in this field.”

There are more than 30 prizes are on offer including bursaries for university courses, places on top private-sector training courses, access to professional expertise and resources and memberships of professional bodies.

“We are calling on students, graduates and anyone with an interest in cyber security, to come forward and test their skills. The variety and excitement of the cyber security industry is one of the UK’s best-kept secrets, it faces new, dynamic challenges everyday. The Challenge will demonstrate how important and exciting this profession is and help the nation’s best, undiscovered talent achieve their cyber security career ambitions,” said Judy Baker, director of Cyber Security Challenge UK.

The competition was initially unveiled at this year’s Infosecurity event.

To find out more or to register for the Challenge, click here.