Push to make Adelaide a cyber security hub, export skills and software to the world
HUNDREDS of hackers will try to break into an under-threat computer network in Adelaide to save it from a malicious employee — and the winner will be eligible for big prizes. Interested?
SOUTH Australia would become a hub for cyber security specialists in a push to fill a “global skills shortage” that is leaving sensitive data held by governments and private companies at risk.
Defence and cyber security leaders will on Monday launch an initiative in Adelaide, backed by the Liberal Opposition, to encourage people to develop skills that could lead to jobs in the growing field.
The Australian Defence Industry Cyber Challenge will be held in August and require participants to solve a real-world “insider threat” scenario in which an employee inside an organisation is responsible for malicious computer activity.
Hundreds of people — from school and university students to entrepreneurs — are expected to take part.
Cyber security expert and Adelaide expat Mohan Koo has returned temporarily to Adelaide from Silicon Valley in the US to launch the initiative, which is based on a successful UK model.
“Every company you can think of is needing these skills and they can’t find the talent — there’s a global shortage,” the 42-year-old founder of Dtex Systems said.
“Every day we’re hearing news about data being breached and hacked.
“Every company and government department has our personal data ... outsiders are getting access to usernames and passwords. What are they doing with it and how are we protecting it?”
Mr Koo wants to encourage investment in cyber security work in Adelaide and promote it as a talent hub which could eventually “export” employees and software to businesses around the world.
Competitors in the upcoming cyber challenge will have to discover vulnerabilities of the computer network under threat, figure out who is responsible, provide evidence and make recommendations about how the company could better protect its systems in future.
The winner will be eligible for prizes which could include grant funding, internships with related businesses or overseas travel.
The federally-funded Australian Cyber Security Growth Network and the Defence Teaming Centre are backing the initiative.
Opposition Leader Steven Marshall said there was also support from Federal Government ministers.
“This is a big growth industry and there is a logical connection with the defence industry in South Australia,” he said.
“We just don’t want to be left behind.”
Federal Government figures show the global cyber security market is worth more than $100 billion and is expected to more than double by 2020.
Mr Koo’s company Dtex was founded in Adelaide in 2000, with some State Government funding, before moving its headquarters to London and eventually California.
It has an Adelaide-based research and development office which he hopes to grow in future.
Originally published as Push to make Adelaide a cyber security hub, export skills and software to the world
2.5 billion Gmail accounts exposed to hackers
Why Aussies get smashed by scammers
