2012 Cyber Defence University Challenge

The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator the Hon Stephen Conroy, has announced the 2012 Cyber Defence University Challenge. This is a cyber security competition for undergraduate university students, to be held over 24 hours starting 3 April 2012. There are prizes from Telstra. The details of the challenge are unclear, with no web site provided for the event. Students have been encouraged by the minister to register with their university, but I was unable to find any registration details on any Australian university website. But there is an email address for further details: Challenge@pmc.gov.au
The Minister mentioned the Government’s Cyber White Paper, due out by June 2012, which I helped write the Australian Computer Society National Cyber Policy Proposals for.

Date: 16 March 2012
Media contact: Suzie Brady 0408 258 457

Media Release

Senator the Hon Stephen Conroy
Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate
Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Digital Productivity

---

The 2012 Cyber Defence University Challenge

The Gillard Government, in partnership with Telstra and Australian universities, has announced Australia’s first national cyber security competition, the 2012 Cyber Defence University Challenge.
Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy Senator Stephen Conroy said the Challenge would test the cyber problem-solving skills of teams of Australian undergraduates in a virtual computer network scenario.
“The Challenge will raise awareness of the importance of cyber security, particularly in the university and business sectors, while also showcasing the diverse career opportunities for ICT graduates,” Senator Conroy said.
“The need for greater awareness of cyber security issues and for more high-skilled ICT graduates were two of the key themes to emerge from the public engagement process associated with the Government’s Cyber White Paper, due for release later this year.
“The Challenge is a positive example of the Government partnering with industry and academia to enable Australia to overcome the challenges associated with being a modern, digital economy.
“The Government is committed to working with industry to develop a safe and secure digital economy for Australians. We are also committed to increasing the skills and expertise necessary to protect online environments from cyber crime such as data theft.”
The ultimate prize, sponsored by Telstra, is travel and entry to the Black Hat 2012 Conference in Las Vegas, USA, in July 2012. Black Hat conferences are much sought-after technical information security congresses and briefing seminars which bring together trainers and speakers from corporate, government and research sectors worldwide.
“By engaging government departments, universities and the private sector, the Challenge also aims to highlight the variety of career opportunities available in the ICT fields,” Senator Conroy said.
“The Challenge is an exciting and unique event for Australian students and I encourage university undergraduates across the country to take part.”
The Challenge will run for 24 hours on 3 – 4 April 2012. University undergraduates across Australia who are studying computer science and related degrees are encouraged to register a team in the Challenge via their university.
For further information, please email 2012 Cyber Defence University Challenge. ...
From: 2012 Cyber Defence University Challenge, Media Release, Senator the Hon Stephen Conroy
Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Australian Government, 16 March 2012