More than 10,000 students take on cybersecurity hackathon

20 August 2024

Young people are photographed in front of their laptops. — More than 10,000 participants will build skills and awareness of application security in a gamified environment as part of the Great AppSec Hackathon 2024.

The next generation of cybersecurity experts have tested their knowledge, skills and experience against a series of online challenges in an international jeopardy style competition.

The Great AppSec Hackathon 2024, led by the Data Security Council of India in partnership with Cardiff University and The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies, raised awareness of security threats, built skills, provided job opportunities, and strengthened cybersecurity capacity internationally.

More than 10,000 students from a range of academic backgrounds participated in the global event, which unfolded over two rounds – a multiple-choice questions test and a 24-hour capture the flag challenge.

The competition, which first ran in 2021, offered participants a chance to builds skills and awareness of application security in a gamified environment under strict rules and guidelines.

Dr Amir Javed, a lecturer in Cardiff University’s School of Computer Science and Informatics who has led the University’s sponsorship of the hackathon, said: “Application security is a critical area for developers and infrastructure specialists alike.

“We know for example that there is a high failure rate – up to 55% – in mobile apps due to security oversights and also significant breach risks for web applications – 70% – in sectors such as retail.”

The event was also an opportunity for participants to showcase their talents to industry partners Securein, JPMC, TCPWave and Telangana State Cybersecurity Bureau who used the hackathon to find interns.

A series of expert-led webinars also ran as part of the hackathon event.

Professor Omer Rana, also from Cardiff University’s School of Computer Science and Informatics, added: “Our support for the hackathon all began with a £5,000 seed grant from Global Wales and lots of enthusiasm here in Cardiff University and internationally in Hyderabad in the Indian state of Telengana.”