Mike Harvey, Technology Correspondent, The Times
Britain’s would-be computer hackers are to be targeted in a campaign to persuade them to turn their back on illegal activities and become cyber security “top guns”.
Organisers of a series of online competitions are planning to emulate a US Government-backed scheme to encourage computer whiz-kids to work in internet security.
The US Cyber Challenge was launched earlier this year to find 10,000 of America’s brightest young talents. A British version is being planned next year, with backing from the SANS Institute, a computer security training body. Entrants could be asked to play a series of virtual games where they have to extract passwords from a computer, capture websites or fight off attackers.
In one of the US challenges, competitors have to analyse a hard drive to find evidence to convict criminals who have stolen guns; in another they have to defend a network from attacks.
If recruited, they could earn sixfigure salaries in the future with the Government, the security services or with leading corporations. Judy Baker, a security consultant, is co-ordinating negotiations with British companies to provide backing and a management structure for the venture.
“Government and business need more and better security experts to protect intellectual property and business continuity and keep private communications private,” she said. . . .