Most of you will know that I am the fraud and cyber security advisor for Cambridgeshire Police, however, I also have another role in support of a national programme led by the National Crime Agency called ‘Cyber Choices’.
(https://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/what-we-do/crime-threats/cyber-crime/cyber-crime-preventing-young-people-from-getting-involved)
Cyber Choices is designed to raise the awareness amongst young people of the Computer Misuse Act 1990 and to encourage and develop young people into the cyber security industry.
If you know or have children between the ages of 11 and 17 years, then I wanted to make you aware of an exciting national police cyber competition being supported by Cambridgeshire Police called ‘The Matrix Challenge’.
The Matrix Challenge online qualification game went live on the 20th of January 2020, and will run for 4 weeks. It takes around 30 minutes to complete and covers 5 key topics, Computer Misuse Act 1990, staying safe online, steganography, fault finding in lines of code and cracking a cipher. The challenge will also include a timed multiple choice quiz.
The top online entries in the eastern region will then be invited to attend a regional semi-final day which will be held in Bedford. The top 3 competitors in each age category (11-14 and 15-17) will then be selected for a UK grand final in July 2020 where top technology prizes and the chance to be crowned The Matrix Challenge Champion.
I am pleased to announce that Vodafone will be the national key sponsor for the final.
So far, 222 young people across Cambridgeshire have entered, so I would just like to raise your awareness of the competition and encourage your family and friends to register and take the initial 30 minute challenge. Entrants do not need to be computer experts, but like a challenge, some excitement and fun.
For full details and to take the challenge, please visit:
There is also a video on the website which highlights last year’s challenge.
If anyone reading this would like more information, please contact me at:
Thank you
Nigel
Mr Nigel Sutton 8517
