Cyber Security Challenge UK looks for new talent

Potential cyber crime fighters came face to face with a virtual biolgical attack from a make-believe cyber terrorist organisation in this year’s final of Cyber Security Challenge UK.

The event, which was held in London this month, saw 42 contestants battle it out in the final, which organisers called a more realistic civilian I.T. security simulation than similar events that have been staged previously.

From a London crisis centre, contestants employed their cyber skills in order to prevent Church House, situated at Westminster Abbey, from being hit by a virtual biological cyber attack.

Contestants showcased their  technical ability while complying with a legal framework that closely resembles legislation enforced by the UK government.

The aim of the contest was to find undiscovered cyber talent and recruit suitable indivuals into the IT security industry in order to increase the number of talented cyber professionals available.

The extent of the skills shortage in cyber security was brought to the fore by Chancellor George Osborne when he gave a speech earlier this month at GCHQ. He offered an estimation that the worldwide shortage in cyber security professionals will increase to 1.5 million by the year 2020. The figure came from a recent study from (ISC)².

Businesses in the UK will need to be more active when it comes to seeking out cyber professionals if they are to benefit from the limited talent pool in the industry. Before they find that they are a victim of the next breach, they may be wise to open up cyber security jobs to dip in to that very same talent pool.