UK spy agency GCHQ has launched a special contest in the hope of uncovering the cyber security experts of tomorrow.

With governments and businesses facing a growing number of cyber attacks perpetrated by increasingly sophisticated criminals, such bodies are struggling to keep pace with the escalating threat.

The Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) – the UK’s central spy agency specializing in electronic intelligence gathering – is perhaps more worried than most, with many of its skilled tech wizards leaving for better paid jobs in the private sector.

In an attempt to shore up its defenses against hostile states and criminal gangs operating online, the spy service has launched a computer security competition open to all Brits aged 16 and over in the hope of discovering the cyber security experts of tomorrow.

The Balancing the Defence test puts contestants “in charge of managing the risk to a Government department’s computer network. You will analyse the network, looking for vulnerabilities that an attacker could exploit, and apply a range of defensive controls,” it says on the competition’s website.

“Some will be technical in nature, but others will be based in the security policies you establish. Your budget is limited and you will have to make tough decisions about which controls you can apply to get value for money and reduce the risk to your network.”

Registration for the competition ends September 26, with the test lasting five days from from October 1.

The designer of the test – a GCHQ employee known only as ‘Karl’ – told the Guardian that no computer system can ever be 100 percent protected.

“There is no such thing as a completely secure system – businesses will always need to balance where to spend a limited budget, to manage risks and provide opportunities,” he said.

Back in June, the head of the UK’s domestic security service, MI5, said he was shocked by the number of cyber attacks taking place against the country.

“The extent of what is going on is astonishing, with industrial-scale processes involving thousands of people lying behind both state-sponsored cyber espionage and organized cyber crime,” MI5 boss Jonathan Evans told said in a speech in London.

With that in mind, the British government will certainly be hoping GCHQ’s cyber security competition uncovers some bright sparks who can help build an effective system to defend against attacks, ensuring the protection of highly sensitive information in the process.

[via Reuters] [Image: Rafal Olechowski / Shutterstock]

Looking to simplify and expand on the concept of the smart home, SmartThings could help you manage your life through digital control.

Likely going to surpass the one million dollar milestone on KickStarter in the next twelve hours, a group called the Physical Graph Corporation has achieved about four times the required funding for a new automation platform called SmartThings. The SmartThings platform is designed around automating the small tasks in your life and funneling all control of those tasks through an application called SmartApps that can be used on a smartphone or tablet. To get started, a SmartThings user will purchase the communication hub before deciding on sensors and devices needed within their home. All the sensors and devices are tied back into the hub which relays information to and from the SmartApps software using the Internet.

For instance, a presence sensor could send a message to a user’s smartphone when their pet decided to make an unplanned trip out of the home. The Kickstarter page describes that as the “Oh No, My Pet Is Loose!” SmartApp.

Another idea would be to install a motion sensor within an area that contains valuables and get alerted through the “My Stuff is Secure” SmartApp. A more complex example heavily illustrates the concept of a smart home and performs such tasks as turning on the lights in the morning or starting up the coffeemaker as well as locking the doors automatically upon leaving or adjusting the temperature controls in order to save on energy costs. 

Hardware that will be available with the SmartThings communication hub includes a SmartOutlet for controlling any device with a plug, the Presence tag to monitor location, an Open/Closed sensor for doors and windows, an Infrared motion sensor, a temperature sensor and an accelerometer to detect motion or angle. In addition, developers will be able to dive right into the software development kit and hardware makers will receive modules or shields for Arduino to turn more everyday household items into a SmartThings device. Conceptually, the group behind SmartThings foresees a home where everything has an API and is constantly communicating to automate common tasks.

According to CNN, the idea that evolved into SmartThings started after founder Alex Hawkinson experienced a series of escalating problems that ended up with his basement pipes exploding. Hawkinson didn’t discover the problem until it was too late and ended up with a costly home repair.

Detailed by Hawkinson, the basic kit will come with the communication hub as well as three sensors selected by the user. Additional sensors and devices will be priced between $25 to $35 and Hawkinson has plans to charge a monthly fee for service at some point. However, some KickStarter contributors can avoid the monthly fees at specific contribution levels.

Interestingly, the group behind SmartThings is also partnering with other KickStarter projects to expand functionality. By partnering with Ubi, SmartThings users will be able to use voice commands to accomplish certain tasks within the home. Ubi will also be able to announce notifications to users. The InstaCube partnership will include new functionality such as visual notifications on the InstaCube screen as well as a secondary touchscreen interface in case the smartphone or tablet is on the other side of the home.

Delta Airlines has announced plans to improve facilities for its tech-savvy passengers, adding more recharging stations to its branded gates at a further 12 airports around the US.

With more and more airlines waking up to the realization that a connected passenger is more often than not a happy passenger, amenities at airports and on aircraft to help facilitate the requirement are on the increase.

Delta Airlines has announced plans to roll out more recharging stations at its branded airport gates around the US, as well as at its first international location at Narita airport in Tokyo, enabling passengers to use their laptop, smartphone – or whatever gadget they happen to own – prior to boarding the plane, without having to worry about draining the battery. It also means they can board the plane with a fully juiced up device.

The new recharging stations, featuring standard 110-volt outlets and USB ports, will be introduced before the end of the year at the following airports: Anchorage, Alaska; Austin, Texas; Denver; Dallas/Ft. Worth; Houston Intercontinental; Kansas City, Mo.; Milwaukee, Wis.; New Orleans; Ontario, Calif.; Philadelphia; Phoenix; and Syracuse, NY. Delta already has such stations installed at 20 other airports across the country.

Speaking about the new facilities, airline representative Wayne Aaron said in a statement, “Customers today are savvy travelers who bring their smartphones, computers and tablets with them. Providing a power source they can use before they get on a long flight helps them do what they need to do in the air, whether for work or pleasure.”

Connected

A couple of months ago, Delta announced plans to introduce in-flight Internet on its fleet of more than 150 international aircraft in early 2013. The airline claims to already operate the world’s largest Wi-Fi-equipped fleet of passenger planes with more than 3,000 flights daily, including its entire fleet of 550 domestic aircraft.

Like many others airlines, Delta has its own Facebook page, Twitter account and smartphone app that allows you to check in, change seats and track your luggage, among other things.

It’s also thought that Delta will support Passbook, a new app coming as part of Apple’s soon-to-launch iOS 6, which acts as a repository for tickets and coupons, and should help to make the sometimes stressful airport experience a little less aggravating.

[Image: Michael Jung / Shutterstock]