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A first-of-its-kind pilot program teaches students to use their hacking powers for the good guys.
Eighteen students have just completed a course in ethical hacking hosted by the Australian Federal Police.
The day-long re_B00TCMP saw students between the ages of 14 and 17 learn about the boundaries between ethical hacking and criminal activity.
Re_B00TCMP, currently in the pilot stage, was run by the AFP-led Joint Policing Cybercrime Coordination Centre alongside the NSW Department of Education. The event ran on 5 March at the Fortress E-Sports Arena in Sydney.
While the students were learning about ethical hacking and completing a “digital cyber hunt challenge”, parents and teachers attended a program of their own aimed at showing how kids behave and act online while encouraging them to talk openly to their students and children about positively using their skills.
The first student to complete the cyber hunt challenge won a subscription to a training course in cyber security.
Claudia Forsyth, AFP re_B00TCMP project lead and team leader cyber crime prevention, said the aim of the camp was to teach kids about cyber security in the same way they are taught about other important safety skills.
“You would never teach a young person to drive without first teaching them the road rules. Re_B00TCMP fills a current gap in Australia for educational interventions as it inspires young minds to channel their passion for IT into positive, lawful, and socially beneficial activities,” Forsyth said in a statement.
“The 12 to 17 years age bracket is crucial, as it is often when students are heavily exposed to the online environment, and like any teenager, they may be curious about testing the boundaries, making this an opportune time to have a positive impact.
“Through interactive sessions, workshops, and meaningful engagement with law enforcement and industry mentors, the program educates and inspires young talents to lay the groundwork for a future where digital safety and responsibility are paramount.”
Re_B00TCMP itself is a Dutch innovation, running in the Netherlands since 2021 and managed by the Dutch National Police.
“We thank the Dutch National Police for their guidance, and the NSW Department of Education, our industry and education presenters, and policing partners for making the program possible,” Forsyth said.
David Hollingworth has been writing about technology for over 20 years, and has worked for a range of print and online titles in his career. He is enjoying getting to grips with cyber security, especially when it lets him talk about Lego.
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