Communications of the ACM
Teen Wins k Cyber Security Challenge
Cambridge University student Jonathan Millican, who was named UK Cyber Security Champion, poses with his trophy at the Science Museum in Bristol, England.
Credit: Associated Press
Jonathan Millican, a first year computer science student at Cambridge University, was announced the UK Cyber Security Champion Sunday (March 11) at the Cyber Security Challenge UK Awards in Bristol. One of thousands of registered candidates, Millican was awarded the accolade having successfully navigated a series of online and face to face competitions over the past six months. To reach the winner's podium he had to demonstrate a range of technical, communication and leadership skills at this weekend's Challenge Masterclass grand final, designed by HPLabs and Cassidian, where his performance was judged to be the best of more than 30 finalists.
Millican will receive his choice of reward from a collection of career-enhancing prizes valued at over £100,000 (U.S. $156,000), including university scholarships; internships at private companies; industry training courses; access to industry conferences, and membership to professional bodies such as the National Skills Academy for IT.
Russ Taylor, a technician in the Royal Air Force, was the runner up.
Speaking at the ceremony Millican said, "I've never really thought about cyber security. The degree I'm currently undertaking in computer science was largely out of general interest in the subject. This award has acted as validation that I might have the skills to become a cyber security professional. What's important is that what I have learned through this process has not just come from undertaking the competitions but from the people I have met, both candidates and professionals that together have offered a fantastic insight into an industry within which I am now seriously considering a career."
Keynote speaker at the ceremony, Jonathan Hoyle, Director General for Cyber Security at GCHQ UK Government Communications Headquarters, the UK intelligence service, said, "GCHQ are proud to be sponsoring the Challenge and are keen to assist in developing the cyber security talent pool for the benefit of the whole of the UK. It is through initiatives such as this that organisations, be they in the public or private sector, can continue to develop and maintain our leading edge in cyberspace by being able to recruit the right people with the right skills."
Masterclass Final
The team from HP and Cassidian that put together the Masterclass — a simulation of a company experiencing security challenges within which finalists had to identify the problem, identify the solution, and sell it to the company's decision makers — felt the test they put in front of the Challenge's 30 finalists was representative of the real world.
"The Masterclass is designed to be a true representation of what cyber security professionals are up against," said Roy Matthews, Cassidian's Cyber Defence Lead. "So it's hard work, varied, intensive and hugely rewarding. Everyone who took part now understands the reality of working in this industry."
"HP and The Cyber Security Challenge are inspiring people to develop the skills needed for successful careers in cyber security, by highlighting the real cyber threats facing organisations today," said Richard Brown, HP Labs, Senior Research Manager. "This is the second Masterclass HP has been proud to host, and is a demonstration of our commitment to improving the UK's IT cyber security skills and boosting employment in our dynamic IT sector generally."
2012/13 Challenge Launched
At the same event Judy Baker, director of the Cyber Security Challenge UK, gave an overview of the Challenge's program for 2012/13. Guidance, advice, and information on the new challenge, for which registration is now open, is available through the Challenge website.
"Every new Challenge program is designed to expand the opportunities on offer for non-professionals to build a career in cyber security," Baker said. "This is our most ambitious program yet. It combines competitions, education opportunities, career enhancing experiences, a wealth of online guidance, and networking events to make the Challenge a valued source of information and learning about how to become a cyber security professional. We are gearing up for new candidates to register with us today and be kept informed as each new competition comes on line."
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