NSA Launching Cyber Challenge to Attract Talent from Academia

The National Security Agency prepares to launch the annual Codebreaker Challenge to attract students to consider taking cybersecurity careers in the federal government, Federal News Network reported Thursday.

This year’s event aims to gather over 330 schools and 2,600 students. The 2019 Codebreaker Challenge may focus on challenges facing mobile security. In particular, the threats to Android operating systems, according to Eric Bryant, a technical director in the crypto analysis organization at NSA. 

The agency unveiled the challenge in 2013 to increase partnerships between the government and academia. The event hopes to introduce students to technology and develop reverse-engineering or low-level code analysis skills to address cyber challenges. 

“We are doing the high touch and personal approach to educate and attract students,” said Kathy Hutson, senior strategist for industry and academic engagement at NSA. “Through the Codebreaker Challenges, we are using a non-traditional approach, which also teaches good fundamental skills for NSA as well as the nation.”