Bexhill student wins top cyber security competition

Ben Jackson won Cyber Security Challenge UK’s Masterclass competition, which saw 42 amateurs investigate a data breach on a fictional company and fend off hackers over three days.

The 18-year-old can choose from a collection of career-enhancing prizes including industry training, university courses, the best new technologies and access to strategic industry events.

“It’s hard to put into words how I feel but I can say it’s a complete privilege to win such a well renowned competition,” he said.

“I’m frankly amazed that I’ve won. This has been a brilliant few days and a life changing experience, meeting some great people along the way.

“I hope to now go on pursue a career in cyber security, something which I really enjoy.”

The grand finale at a fake security operations centre set up in Shoreditch, London, was the culmination of a year’s worth of qualifying rounds.

The 42 finalists competed in front of experts from the cyber security industry, who assessed and ranked contestants’ performances against real job requirements.

The contestants spent three days investigating a suspected data breach while tackling hackers and simulated pressures before a presentation to the board to mimic a real-world situation.

Half of the candidates have gone on into jobs in the industry.

Cyber Security Challenge’s chief executive Stephanie Daman said: “There are huge number of cyber security jobs on offer, and simply not enough people to fill them.

“Competitions like these give talented individuals a safe environment to showcase their skills in front of organisations that are looking for new recruits.”

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage at www.bexhillobserver.net/

2) Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/bexhillobserver

3) Follow us on Twitter @BexhillObs

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

The Bexhill Observer - always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.