The Cyber 9/12 competition pits four student teams drawn from UK universities against each other and has them take on the role of advisors to the Cabinet Office during an imagined (but realistic) cyber-attack against the UK. Founded by the Atlantic Council in 2012, the competition has expanded its reach globally with the first UK instalment taking place in 2018.
A Loughborough University team, under the name Cyboro, comprises students from the Department of Computer Science and the Department of International Relations, Politics and History:
- Akash Sandu
- Peter Cockell
- Clara Noguerol
- Zoran Morrissey-Ralevic
A fifth Loughborough competitor has also made it to the final. Mei Tsang (also Department of Computer Science) is part of team with students from three different universities.
While participants will draw on their knowledge of computing and cyber security, the competition is designed to develop other essential, but often overlooked, skills required by cyber security professionals, such as critical thinking, effective teamwork, communication, and analysis.
In the final round the students will deliver live presentations to a panel of judges drawn from board-level industry roles and government.
With the University funding accommodation and travel to enable our students to take part, Cyber 9/12 is an excellent development opportunity, not only for the chance to test their skills and knowledge, but also the opportunity to connect with future employers across government and the contest's commercial sponsors.
The finals take place at BT Tower on the 20th - 21st February. We wish all our students taking part the best of luck.