User:Andrew.stockwell/sandbox

The Cyber Security Challenge was created to promote the growth of the UK cyber security industry. This is achieved through the challenges where the contestants take part in cyber security competitions, lobbying and job fairs.

Competitions
The competitions are divided into practical where contestants are asked to analyse packet captures, perform a forensic examination or a penetration test and theoretical where competitions ranged from multiple choice through to long form where contestants have to justify their answers.

While most competitions are open to all British citizens, in 2013 the Schools Programme was launched specifically for children aged 10 to 17.

2012
First round competitions in 2012 included Dtex Systems - Insider Threat Investigation which involved forensic analysis to determine how information had been stolen and by whom, and GCHQ - Balancing the Defence which was to design a network defense strategy to a budget.

Second round competitions included the Orange Face to Face. Contestants were supplied with a network diagram, a list network defence objects and their prices, and the scenario which was to defend the network from attack and to prevent the loss of propriety information.

2013
First round competitions in 2013 included DC3 Digital Forensics Challenge hosted by the US Department of Defense, GCHQ - Protection of Intellectual Property Rights and a number of multiple choice competitions based on the British Computer Society certifications Information Security Management Principles, Business Continuity Management and Information Risk Management.

Prizes
Prizes for competitions include membership to professional bodies, bursaries for university courses, cyber security training courses and even internships.

The 2012-2013 Cyber Security Challenge Winner, Stephen Miller, won £100,000 worth of prizes

Lobbying
The Challenge has been lobbying both national government and educational institutions

Job fair
The first Cyber Security Challenge UK Job Fair was held in London on the 15th of June 2013 with 16 companies being represented and 600 prospective employees attending.