Solve the cyber secret to have a crack at joining GCHQ’s code-breakers - 11 Sep 2013
A JOB combating threats from cyberspace could be the ultimate prize for the winners of an online challenge posed by GCHQ to recruit the most skilled mathematicians, code breakers and ethical hackers in the UK.
The ‘Can You Find It?’ competition is being run on behalf of GCHQ by resourcing specialist TMP Worldwide and will challenge both experienced and self-taught techies to crack a series of cryptic codes.
They will take you on a cyber treasure hunt by giving a series of clues, leading you to a number of different places around the world-wide web which will ultimately unlock the final answer.
The complex codes have been created by a GCHQ team of top mathematicians. They set a high bar for recruiting curious, tenacious and creative candidates who have the intellectual ability, though not necessarily the practical experience or qualifications, to join GCHQ and support the Government’s national cyber security agenda.
Winners could be following in the prestigious footsteps of computer pioneer Alan Turing who during World War Two helped lead the efforts at Bletchley Park to provide vital intelligence for the Allies by deciphering the messages encrypted by the German Enigma machine.
Today’s tough but engaging challenge is aimed at people who love problem solving and computer technology. So whether you are an IT specialist bored with corporate life, a skilled amateur seeking a new challenge, or a quick-thinking maths expert who just loves to do maths all day, then there could be a role for you, with a salary between c £26k - £60k depending on your skills and experience.
The ‘Can You Find It?’ quest will launch on 10.09.13. Starting from www.canyoufindit.co.uk entrants will have six weeks to hunt down four codes. Once found, each one has to be entered into the challenge website to unveil the next clue until the final one is discovered.
As well as discovering whether you have the right skills to be employed by a national intelligence and security agency that works in partnership with the Security Service (MI5) and Secret intelligence Service (MI6), in completing the treasure hunt you can enter a prize draw to win a Google Nexus 7 or a Raspberry Pi .
The Raspberry Pi is a credit-card sized computer that plugs into a TV and keyboard. It is designed to help people all over the world learn programming to become the next generation of IT programmers and developers.
‘Can You Find It?’ builds on last year’s hugely popular ‘Can You Crack It?’ campaign which attracted over 95 million hits to its website from over 3.2 million unique users. About 5,000 people applied for the role from which 170 applications were taken forward.
GCHQ’s Head of Resourcing, Jane Jones, said: “The 21st century is confronting us with online threats that are difficult and dangerous, so we want employees who have evolved with the ever-changing digital world and therefore have the right skills to combat these challenges. It’s a puzzle but it’s also a serious test – the jobs on offer here are vital to protecting national security.”
To answer the question: ‘Can You Find It?’ go online to www.canyoufindit.co.uk.
Notes to editors:
About GCHQ (www.gchq-careers.co.uk) & (www.gchq.gov.uk)