Cyber Security Challenge and BT arrange awareness contest

BT, the Cyber Security Challenge UK and Get Safe Online have launched a joint competition in an effort to aim to educate small businesses about cyber security.

Named 'Can you talk security?', this will ask the general public to come up with easy methods to communicate technical security issues in an easy and non-technical way. The winning entry will then be posted at the Get Safe Online website for use as a resource for small businesses and offices.

The competition is the Challenge's first to check competitors' ability to communicate good security practice to others, as opposed to whether or not they can secure networks themselves. That is open to anyone over 14 years old; entrants are asked to illustrate innovative ways of explaining the dangers that cyber threats pose to SMEs, and the easy steps they could take to guard themselves.

Individuals and teams could be split into three age groups: under 17, 18-24 and over 25; one overall competition winner would be announced on the BT Tower in November. There'll even be one first prize per age group within the individual and team categories.

Speaking at a BT event this week on the Infosecurity Europe conference, Nigel Harrison, board member of the Cyber Security Challenge UK, said: “People may be able to develop material to assist communicate problems with cyber security to employees. It's a challenge for SMEs to spread a safety-awareness programme to their employees, so the winning entries could be hosted at the Get Safe Online website as a resource.

“The challenge has always listened to employers to gauge the kinds of skills they're struggling in finding and make sure our competitions identify probably the most relevant candidates. Whilst the more technical-focused roles continue to lack applicants within the numbers employers want, the cyber security profession is hugely varied with a variety of different job titles covering an incredibly big selection of skills.

“Creative communicators will possibly not seem an obvious requirement for a cyber team, however the have to communicate technical security issues in some way that may be understood by members of the general public, employees and decision-makers in boardrooms is incredibly important.”

Tony Neate, CEO of Get Safe Online, said: “A few simple measures might actually help internet users ensure they can benefit from the maximum benefits of the net for a minimum risk, and we're excited to be supporting the Cyber Security Challenge UK where anyone is challenged to discuss cyber security in an artistic and fun way.”

Dr Bob Nowill, director, cyber and knowledge assurance, at BT Security, said: “Cyber crime is an enormous issue for UK industry and has to be tackled from two angles. We believe that the combo of cyber experts and professionals supported by new talent identified by initiatives just like the Cyber Security Challenge might actually help to bolster and improve our technical defences.

“However, we should also help educate the broader population at the role they must play â€" that's what this competition is all about. It only needs one brilliant idea to resonate with people around the country to make a big difference to their very own security and the UK's as an entire.”