[BreachExchange] High School Contest Could Turn Hackers Into Cyber-Security Experts

[Destry Winant]

http://www.publicnewsservice.org/2017-08-02/education/high-school-contest-could-turn-hackers-into-cyber-security-experts/a58791-1

RICHMOND, Va. - In response to more cyber attacks, an online contest
is spotting talent among high-school students in Virginia and other
states.

Seven states have entered a cyber training partnership with the
SysAdmin, Audit, Network and Security Institute (SANS). Thousands of
high school juniors and seniors will be competing for $650,000 in
scholarships.

Alan Paller, SANS director of research, said the students will be
playing a game called CyberStart, but the importance of the outcome is
quite serious.

"The lack of expertise that we're facing right now is enabling
attackers to break into organizations with impunity," he said, "and,
where they used to just steal data, it's shutting them down."

Paller said the cyber security career field holds great promise for
youth because the jobs aren't going to be outsourced and the cyber
attackers aren't going to go away. Teens with a strong knowledge of
operating systems, programming and networking have an opportunity to
help their state and country, he said.

Paller said the game SANS is utilizing currently is used by adults in
the field who have found it's sometimes more valuable than an expert
instructor because the problems they're facing are ever-evolving.

"They can't just use rote methods because the bad guys are changing
all the time," he said. "So, the game gives them the ability to test
and develop their discovery skills."

Paller said the threat of cyber attacks is just as real anywhere in
the country. Power systems and hospitals are just a couple of examples
of vital resources that are the focus of attackers.