Cyber Security Challenge UK is on the hunt for the best hackers in the UK after setting up a series of challenges which will test the skills of each competitor.
The challenges have been based on the actions of a fictional terrorist group who have been called The Flag Day Associates.
The fictional group made their first appearance in March in a video which was uploaded to YouTube which had three masked terrorists warning of a future cyber-attack in the UK. There were details embedded in the video which provided a possible date for the cyber-attack.
The first challenge was well supported with over 1,000 people signing up to help decipher the first clue of a fictional investigation. This was based on a suspicious email being intercepted by the National Crime Agency which was then traced to an abandoned warehouse. All that was left was an encrypted hard drive.
The latest challenge has been called Assignment Flag Drive in which entrants must use their computer skills and logic to hack into the encrypted hard drive and find out who it belongs to. Details about this drive will be placed online.
Registration to take part in this second challenge is still open and will close on 14th August. Registration can be completed at the Cyber Security Challenge UK website.
James Lyne who is the global head of security research at Sophos believes that the competition will be very fun and that he is looking forward to seeing the innovated methods that competitors use.
Lyne stated, “This competition is going to be a lot of fun and include many of the key skills security professionals need in the workplace. It will have forensic and offensive aspects to it and be accessible to all levels.”
Lyne added, “Best of all is part of the game involves a collection of interesting Internet of Things devices. I’m looking forward to seeing the creative approaches the players take to overcoming the Associates.”
The highest ranking competitors will qualify for a series of reconnaissance meet-ups as part of Operation Flag Day. Those who impress the most will then move on and be asked to carry out investigations at secret locations around the UK.
The leading candidates from this will make up the final line up who will do battle against The Flag Day Associates at the Masterclass final next year.
