Cyber Security Challenge UK takes on the internet of things

The latest level of the Cyber Security Challenge will involve participants hacking devices connected to the Internet of Things to prove the dangers of the infant technology, according to sponsor Sophos.

The Cyber Security Challenge is an organisation which organises events designed to find amateurs who could be the UK’s next cyber security experts.

Participants will be required to hack an encrypted hard drive to uncover details of a potential cyber-attack.

James Lyne, Global Head of Security Research at Sophos, explained that with the Internet of Things growing, device security is not keeping up.

He said: “One of the big challenges is there’s a lot of hype in this area and I think for the public it’s hard to separate fact from fiction, and it seems when you first consider the idea of hacking a fridge it almost seems a ridiculous notion that couldn’t really do actual harm.”

But Lyne has found that hacking connected devices is easier than people suspect, and could lead to disclosure of personal details, including the potential for card and PIN detailed to be obtained from a hacked CCTV camera.

These challenges are used not only to raise awareness of security issues that currently exist, but also to attempt to fill the current skills gap in the cyber security industry.

Lyne said: “We have a huge talent deficit in the UK in the security space. We need more skilled people, and not only do we need more skilled people in present problem domains but we need more skilled people to be able to tackle the future scenarios like the ones we’re playing with here.”

Registration for the Cyber Security Challenge is now open.