Breadcrumbs

Securing New Zealand’s future: Cyber Security Challenge celebrates 10 years

6 July 2023

NZ Cyber Security Challenge 2021
NZ Cyber Security Challenge 2021 participants

Tomorrow, Kiwis across the country will be at the University of Waikato for the 10th annual New Zealand Cyber Security Challenge. With over $6,000 in prizes up for grabs across three categories, this event is the largest of its kind in the country.

More than 400 aspiring cyber experts participated online in the first round, with the top 150 contenders set to compete at the University's Hamilton campus on July 7th and 8th. Across the two days, they will immerse themselves in a series of challenges, connect with industry experts, and gain valuable insights into the latest tools and techniques of the trade.

Dr Vimal Kumar, Senior Lecturer at the University of Waikato's Cybersecurity Researchers of Waikato (CROW) lab, emphasises the significance of the Cyber Security Challenge in highlighting the pressing need to combat cyber crime. He says it provides an ideal testing ground for those interested in the industry.

"With New Zealanders losing nearly $2 million per month to cyber criminals, we are facing not only a nationwide skills gap but an awareness gap around cyber crime. We need more people to consider careers in cyber security," Dr Kumar highlights. "Our challenge offers participants a hands-on opportunity to test and learn, supported by respected experts in the field."

With high school, tertiary and open categories, the challenge's objective is to encourage anyone, regardless of age, to explore their potential for a career in cyber security. Dr Kumar says he takes pride in the competition's student-led nature.

"The Cyber Security Challenge has always been driven by students, with PhD students taking the lead in organising the competition and receiving assistance from masters and honours students. We are grateful for the support provided by our corporate sponsors to enable participants to see if they have what it takes to have a career in cyber security.”

The Cyber Security Challenge 2023 features a keynote by CERT NZ Director Rob Pope and other industry experts that are also open to the public to attend. Details can be found here.

Cyber Security Challenge 2023 Sponsors:

Platinum - Endace, Defend, CyberCX, Deloitte, SecurityLit

Gold -  First Watch, Gallagher Security

Silver - DTA, Lightwire


Latest stories

Related stories

Scholarship supports two worthy women in technology

The inaugural Endace Women in Technology Scholarship has been awarded to two University of Waikato…

The opening of G Block

Golden jubilee: 50 years of Computing at University of Waikato

This year, the University of Waikato is celebrating 50 years of Computing, marking a significant…

Ian Witten

Waikato pays tribute to open-source data mining trailblazer

The University of Waikato is mourning the passing of computer software and digital technology trailblazer,…

New app allows easy identification of all NZ plants, animals and fungi

Imagine being able to readily identify every plant and bird in your garden, on a…

University of Waikato signs new joint programme with Hainan University

University of Waikato is pleased to announce a new agreement with Hainan University in China…

Security and Crime Wānanga set to bring international specialists together

An international collaboration between University of Waikato’s Te Puna Haumaru - New Zealand Institute for…

endace-scholarship-2022

The future is female: New women in tech scholarship launched

A new scholarship set to support women in computer science and software engineering has been…

Michael Tsai

White hat hacker and cybersecurity graduate protects NZ businesses online

Master of Cyber Security student Michael Tsai spends his days trolling client systems, searching for…

University provides Māori youth with STEM opportunities

It was a taste of University life for 76 Māori high school students from around…

Wānanga works to carve a pathway for Māori Artificial Intelligence

A hui that brought together Artificial Intelligence experts from all over around the motu has…

University design student collaborates with global creative group

A bright blue avatar created by a University of Waikato design student is on show…

Keshav Mahindra

Double major and university at 16

Keshav Mahindra achieved University Entrance and NCEA Level 3, all there was left to do…