Security teams to square off in cyber challenge

More than 400 cybersecurity students are expected to participate in the sixth annual Cyber Security Challenge Australia in October, competing to compromise — and, for the first time, defend — a fictional start-up incubator.

The 24-hour event will see teams from universities and TAFEs across Australia race around the clock to solve a main challenge as well as a series of puzzles.

Teams of attackers will be competing to break into real-world systems and technologies set up to protect a fictional company named BreakOutBox.

In addition, this year's competition will see 'blue teams' established to act as internal company defenders, in a scenario designed to mimic real-world examples of the skills participating students will need to demonstrate in the field.

Both sides will need to be familiar with technologies and tools such as Linux, Splunk, Wireshark and Disassembler.

The first place team will win flights and accommodation to next year's DEFCON conference in Las Vegas, the runner-up will receive the same to Kiwicon in Wellington in November, while the team coming in third will receive the same for the BSides conference in Canberra next year.

Prospective participants are now able to register expressions of interest for the event, and the competition will be held over 9–10 October.

Image courtesy Telstra.

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