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The launch of Australia’s first defence industry cyber challenge yesterday in Adelaide represents more job opportunities for Australians.
Minister for Defence Industry Christopher Pyne and South Australia's Opposition Leader Steven Marshall launched he challenge at Adelaide University, which hosted the first leg of the Defence Industry Cyber Security Challenge.
The Australian Cyber Security Growth Network's (ACSGN) challenge, supported by Dtex Systems and ThreatMetrix and sponsored by Nova Industries and Saab Australia, will see “challengers” choose from two “insider threat” scenarios, which focus on a capture the flag style account takeover and an insider threat hacker response.
ACSGN chief executive Craig Davies said the challenge is designed to discover emerging talent in an industry that is falling behind in much needed cyber skills.
“This is what the Australian Cyber Security Growth Network is all about – we are a not-for-profit organisation tasked by the federal government to recognise, encourage and support new talent and cyber start-ups with the ultimate aim of growing a strong and endurable cyber ecosystem in this country,” Davies said.
“We see so much value in this defence industry challenge that we will be taking it around the country as a national series from next year.”
Davies said Australia is not necessarily short on talent, but is struggling in providing opportunities and recognition.
“The challenge is all about having fun while being observed and judged by some of the nation’s leading cyber security experts,” explained Davies.
“Ultimately, participants will gain a better understanding of cyber security and the process may provide them with pathways into cyber security careers.”
Entry for the Defence Industry Cyber Security Challenge is through the ACSGN website.
The challenge winners will be named during ACSGN’s “Cyber Week” in Sydney during September.