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Students to battle it out during Estonian Cyberolympics

Students are set to do virtual battle as part of the very first Cyberolympics to be held in Europe, organised by the Estonian Ministry of Defence, the Estonian Information Technology College and the cybersecurity company Vequrity.

The Cyberolympics are an individual cyber defence competition in which the technical knowledge and practical skills of tertiary students are put to the test in defending computer systems over an eight-hour period. Registration for the event, which is a first in Europe, was opened today by its organisers, who are hoping to attract students of applied higher education and those undertaking Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees to take part. The participants will be put to the test on the cyber training ground of the Estonian Defence Forces.

“We’re hoping to turn the Cyberolympics into an international competition within the next few years, shoring up Estonia’s position on the global cyber stage,” explained Taimar Peterkop, a deputy secretary general at the Estonian Ministry of Defence. “Estonia is home to the NATO cyber training ground, which is one of a kind and which is operated by the Estonian Defence Forces. It makes sense to give students the opportunity to make use of it as well.”

“The competition will give students a great chance to find out more about the field of cyber defence, learn new stuff and pick up new skills, in a really exciting and stimulating way,” said Margus Ernits, a lecturer at the Estonian Information Technology College. “This is a really important field to Estonia and it needs young and motivated students for the future.”

“The cyber world is becoming an increasingly important part of our private lives, our business environment and the public sector,” noted Taavi Must from Vequrity, one of the organisers of the Cyberolympics. “That’s why it’s so important for people to learn the rules and get used to its processes early on in their education. It’s particularly important to boost defensive capability in regard to malicious attacks – unfortunately, cyber warfare has become part of our everyday lives.”

The Cyberolympics will get underway at 9:00 on 14 February 2015 at the Estonian Information Technology College.

Spectators are welcome to attend the event from 12:00, when the Cybercafé will open and a series of short presentations about the latest developments and learning and career opportunities in the cyber world will be made. Giving talks on cyber careers will be the leading lights in the field: the Estonian Information Technology College, Tallinn University of Technology, Vequrity, Cisco, Bytelife and the Defence Forces Cyber Laboratory. A robot workshop will be open to visitors, who will also be able to take part in a hacking contest.

The first Cyberolympics are being organised by the Estonian Ministry of Defence, the Estonian Information Technology College and Vequrity with support from Bytelife, EMC, Cisco, the Estonian Information Technology Foundation for Education and Tallinn University of Technology.

Information and registration: kyberolympia.ee
Registration is open until 7 February 2015.

 

Further information:

Kusti Salm
Ministry of Defence, Permanent Representation of the Republic of Estonia to NATO
Mob +324 7485 8241
E- mail: kusti.salm@mfa.ee

Margus Ernits
Lecturer of the Estonian Information Technology College
Tel +372 6285 868
E- mail: margus.ernits@itcollege.ee

Taavi Must
CEO of Vequrity OÜ
Mob +372 5169 212
E- mail: taavi.must@vequrity.com

Marje Meenov
Marketing Manager, Estonian Information Technology College
Raja 4C, 12616 Tallinn
Tel +372 6285 817
Mob +372 5227 663
E-mail: marje.meenov@itcollege.ee
www.itcollege.ee

Information Technology Foundation for Education
www.hitsa.ee/en