In a bid to fortify Scotland’s cybersecurity defences, students from universities and colleges across the country geared up to participate in a high-stakes simulation of a major cyber incident.
The Cyber 9/12 Strategy Challenge, which took place at Abertay University’s cyberQuarter in Dundee, pitted teams of aspiring cyber experts against a realistic, evolving scenario of a cyberattack targeting healthcare infrastructure.
This annual competition, now in its third year in Scotland, is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted challenges associated with managing a cyber crisis. Participants assume the roles of senior advisors, tasked with navigating the complex landscape of decision-making and crisis management in the critical hours following a cyber breach.
This year’s Cyber 9/12 Strategy Challenge, held online for the first time, featured teams from Abertay University, the University of Glasgow, the University of Stirling, Strathclyde University, the University of Edinburgh, Dundee and Angus College, and Fife College.
The “NULL SEC” team from Dundee and Angus College claimed the top prize, while two teams from the University of Glasgow secured the runner-up and third place positions.
Ollie Killean, team lead for NULL SEC, said: “We all thoroughly enjoyed participating in the Cyber 9/12 event. It introduced us to how politics and cybersecurity can interact so closely and allowed us to meet and connect with people actively engaged with policy and the cybersecurity industry. I hope that D&A winning shows other colleges that attending the event next year is well worth the effort.”
The event has garnered support from the highest levels of Scottish government. Graeme Dey MSP, Scottish Minister for Higher and Further Education, highlighted the significance of the challenge: “Our lives are becoming increasingly digitised which can bring enormous benefits, but can also bring risks. We need to have experts from across disciplines to ensure the cyber resilience of our country. The Scottish Cyber 9/12 competition gives the opportunity to students, the next generation of cyber leaders, to take part in an authentic cyber scenario.”
Safa Shahwan Edwards, director for capacity building and communities at the Atlantic Council, said: “We’re thrilled to see such strong turnout from colleges and universities across Scotland, highlighting the demand from both the next generation and employers for interdisciplinary talent in addition to technical literacy. We’re honoured to collaborate with such committed partners at the cyberQuarter, Dewar Cyber Consulting, and the Scottish Government to develop a more diverse and cyber-ready workforce that is prepared for tomorrow’s cyber resilience challenges.”
As cyber threats continue to evolve and pose significant risks to national security and economic stability, initiatives like the Cyber 9/12 Strategy Challenge play a crucial role in preparing the next generation of cybersecurity professionals. By simulating real-world conditions and fostering collaboration between academia and industry, Scotland is taking proactive steps to strengthen its cyber resilience and cultivate a skilled workforce capable of tackling the digital challenges of tomorrow.
