The Cyber Security Challenge has launched two new virtual competitions, backed by QinetiQ and Modux.
QinetiQ’s game “ Assignment: Read between the lines” will test candidates ability to perform network vulnerability analysis of an international company, and ascertain any potential threats from a suspicious file. Modux’s game “Assignment: Grab for Power” challenges competitors to protect the capital’s critical national infrastructure.
Both competitions will feature the fictitious hacker group Flag Day Associates, as the QinetiQ challenge sees a publishing house Bluedoor International battle against threats posted by the Flag Day Associates’ over Twitter, while the Modux game sees a scenario where decrypted files on a hard drive seized from the Flag Day Associates’ hideout accessed and acted upon.
“The game we’ve designed is a real test of candidates ability to both analyse the kind of international network that many companies rely upon, and to determine any potential threats from suspicious files,” said Bryan Lillie, chief technology officer for Cyber Security at QinetiQ. “We’ve designed this test to mirror similar situations that companies regularly face, which should give competitors a small taste of what a role in cyber security looks like in a business environment.”
Sash Rigby, technical director at Modux, said: “Cyber threats to critical national infrastructure are becoming a very real problem, and are of increasing concern.
“Our game has been designed to put candidates in the middle of a current national security issue and to show them how their skills can be used to help protect the services and utilities we all rely on every day. There is a real need for skilled individuals in this area, which is why we’re supporting to the Cyber Security Challenge and inspiring the next generation of cyber professionals.”
Those who register will be competing to book their place at the Challenge’s first of a series of reconnaissance meet ups as part of Operation: Flag Day. Here, the most impressive candidates from its virtual assignments will be asked to report for duty in person at secret locations around the UK to carry out investigations face-to-face in teams. These candidates will determine the final line up of online defenders to take on the cyber terrorist group at the Masterclass final next year.
Register to play here:https://cybersecuritychallenge.org.uk/registration/
