UK to turn hackers into cyber security 'top guns'

London, Oct.8 (ANI): A series of online competitions are being planned in Britain with the objective of converting would be computer hackers into cyber security "top guns".

Competition organizers said that they are hoping to emulate a similar scheme that is on in the United States.

According to The Times, the US Cyber Challenge was launched earlier this year to find 10,000 of America's brightest young talents, and now, a British version is being planned next year, with backing from the SANS Institute, a computer security training body.

Entrants could be asked to play a series of virtual games where they have to extract passwords from a computer, capture websites or fight off attackers.

If recruited, they could earn six figure salaries in the future with the Government, the security services or with leading corporations.

Judy Baker, a security consultant, is co-ordinating negotiations with British companies to provide backing and a management structure for the venture.

"Government and business need more and better security experts to protect intellectual property and business continuity and keep private communications private. Plans are developing for a public/private management consortium that would include representatives from leading business sectors and organisations," the paper quoted her, as saying.

The initiative could become part of Britain's newly launched national cyber security strategy.

The Government has pledged to toughen Internet security in an effort to protect the 50 billion pounds spent a year online from attacks by hostile states and criminals.

Security Minister Lord West has said that Britain needs "youngsters who are deep into this stuff" to combat attacks.

E-crime is estimated to cost Britain several billion pounds a year. Britain has set up an Office of Cyber Security in the Cabinet Office to co-ordinate policy across government and pool intelligence from police and security services.

A new Cyber Security Operations Centre based at GCHQ will co-ordinate the protection of the country's major IT systems. (ANI)