A British Puzzle To Find Hidden Cyber Talents
Veterans are being urged to tackle ingenious online challenges in a bid to find “hidden” cyber sleuths, echoing the brain teasers used to spot WWII code breakers.
Tech boffins at cyber company Immersive Labs, backed by a former Director of spy station GCHQ, has developed software to help forces leavers break into cyber jobs.
It features “labs” like levels in a computer game which ramp up in difficultly, and as levels are passed potential job offers are unlocked.
During the height of World War II Bletchley Park recruited those capable of completing a fiendishly cryptic newspaper crossword to become code breakers. Now former GCHQ cyber instructor James Hadley, CEO of Immersive Labs, has designed a platform designed to identify people who have unique skills but may not even know it.
He said: “Our platform helps develop cyber skills by solving challenges which require analytical thinking, trouble shooting and perseverance.
“The truly innovative part is that, in return for them developing cyber skills, like a game they can unlock jobs with companies based purely on their ability, not on their academic background or industry experience.
“It all goes through a web browser making it easily accessible, and there are over 300 exercises ranging from the basics of cyber through to reverse engineering the latest virus.”
The firm then works with companies with jobs on offer, which can only be applied for once candidates complete a certain stage.
Hadley added: “You cannot physically apply for jobs upon joining, they're locked until you’ve done the labs required.
“It’s like a computer game, the further you go, the more the jobs you can unlock.
“These are hands on challenges, like breaking into a fictitious bank, or analysing how the WannaCry virus spreads.
“This is based purely on people’s skills, not on their CV, it eradicates that unconscious bias and helps increase diversity.”
Employers are keen on veterans because of their unique skill set that is not always evident on CV’s, qualities like leadership, communication and working under extreme pressure.
While the breakthrough technology is being sold to companies keen to acquire and boost cyber skills, it is being offered free to forces leavers through the firm’s Veterans Digital Cyber Academy. It is now working with MoD via the not-for-profit TechVets, to encourage veterans to take the challenge and find new jobs. It has won praise for cutting through traditional education to find individuals, especially from diverse backgrounds, who have the right mental approach to problem solving.
Robert Hannigan, Ex-Director, GCHQ, praised the concept, saying: “Identifying, developing and measuring practical cyber security skills is the great challenge for all companies today.
“The Immersive Labs approach is the most exciting thing I’ve seen in this space: scalable, agile and appropriate to the way a new generation learns.
“It has the potential to disrupt and transform this crucial market.”
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