In recent months, there have been numerous incidents of hackings, all over the world, with the WannaCry ransomware leaving its mark in Singapore as well. It’s plain to see that the hacking community is a vast one, which makes having the ability to tackle them even more pertinent.
In 2016, the cybersecurity market was valued at $122.45 billion and that is expected to expand to $202.36 billion by 2021, and in terms of employment, this also presents a highly lucrative sector. Non-profit information security advocate – ISACA – predicts that by 2019, the world is going to be facing a shortage of 2 million in jobs.
In order to pre-empt future crises, the need for cybersecurity professionals has never been more pertinent – which brings us to the Singapore’s first ever Cybersecurity Challenge.
Cybersecurity Challenge Singapore
The origin of this Challenge stems from the UK, where there are competitions, training workshops as well as networking sessions, all with the singular aim of inspiring and motivating cybersecurity enthusiasts to join the profession.
The Challenge consists of multiple challenges, the most prominent one of them being the CyPhinx – a 3D virtual skyscraper that serves as a gateway to different games, ciphers and competitions.
In CyPhinx, players can create avatars, access cybersecurity game challenges, interact with like-minded cyber enthusiasts and demonstrate their skills to fellow players and potential employers.
Players have to complete CyPhinx before they can move on to the Face to Face competition and finally, the Masterclass Final in UK. The Challenge is designed to target cyber enthusiasts who are not currently in the cybersecurity profession. Cybersecurity professionals are welcomed to play too but they do not qualify to compete in the Challenge.
Players must first demonstrate their skills in games on the Singapore Floor in CyPhinx, where they will be tested on cybersecurity disciplines such as forensic analysis, vulnerability assessment
A Career Opportunity
Through this platform, players will be able to network and showcase their skills to potential employers, even secure internship opportunities with leading industry leaders like BAE Systems, PwC Singapore and Palo Alto Networks.
According to Mr. David Koh, Chief Executive of CSA, cybersecurity is rapidly growing industry, but because it is so new, enthusiasts may not know what exciting job opportunities are available.
“With the introduction of the Challenge, we want to unearth budding cybersecurity talents and give them a platform to challenge themselves and at the same time, showcase their skills to potential employers.
We are pleased to partner like-minded industry leaders to offer training and internship opportunities to help them develop their cybersecurity competency.”
BAE Singapore’s Regional Director Mr. Boye Vanell shared that they were “privileged to partner with the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) for the first ever Challenge [and] to discover raw talent in Singapore and raise awareness about career opportunities in cyber.”
All Cybersecurity Enthusiasts Welcome
The Challenge is targeted at cybersecurity enthusiasts not already in the cybersecurity industry. Past winners in the UK Challenge included a postman and a student (also the youngest winner so far). Perhaps Singapore can set a new record?
The qualifying period will end on 14 June 2017 and the top 30 players will be invited to compete in a Face-to-Face competition co-organised by CSA and BAE Systems on 22 July 2017.
In this Face-to-Face round, 6 winners will walk away with career-enabling prizes such as internship opportunities and training courses.
These winners will also travel on an all-expense paid trip to UK from 12 to 14 November 2017 where they will pit their skills against UK players in the Masterclass Final.
Anyone psyched to participate? You can download CyPhinx here or check out the full press release here.
Featured Image Credit: CSA Singapore
