Cyber Security Challenge UK announces new Formula 1 Masterclass final

Motor-racing themed grand finale designed by cyber teams from HP and Cassidian CyberSecurity

Friday 8^th March 2013 - Tomorrow 40 of the country’s most talented amateur cyber defenders will compete in a brand new HP and Cassidian CyberSecurity motor-racing themed challenge to become the next UK Cyber Security Champion. Professional cyber teams from HP and Cassidian CyberSecurity have designed a unique challenge based on a high-profile Formula 1 race to put competitors through their paces in Bristol on Saturday.

The Cyber Security Challenge UK began in 2010 as a series of national competitions aiming to find talented people for the increasing number of job opportunities in cyber security. Now in its third year, the Challenge has broadened its scope to act as a source of advice, support and guidance for anyone interested in the profession. It is currently backed by over 50 organisations from across the cyber security landscape that contribute approximately £100,000 of career enabling prizes each year to candidates.

Candidates arriving in Bristol this weekend have battled through simulated malware and malicious code from hostile states and ‘Stuxnet-like’ attacks on high security facilities to secure their place in the Masterclass grand finale. Orange and Prodrive, SANS Institute, QinetiQ and Sophos were all behind unique face-to-face competitions that took place in late 2012 and early 2013.

For the final, cyber security professionals at HP and Cassidian CyberSecurity have worked together to create an ultra-realistic cyber defence competition set during the weekend of a high-profile Formula 1 race.

The competition will comprise both technical and policy issues in order to expose candidates to the types of challenges they would face as cyber security professionals.

The technical component of the 2013 Masterclass will take place on a cyber range platform, custom-built by Cassidian CyberSecurity. Competitors will assume the roles of analysts and investigators within an Incident Response Team working on behalf of F1 Widgets, a fictitious small to medium-sized enterprise (SME) that supplies on-board diagnostic equipment for Formula 1 cars. The equipment enables diagnostic and operational communication between the pit crew and engine management system in the car. This means that any vulnerabilities or compromise associated with the device could adversely impact the safety and security of the race.

In the lead up to the race a customer of F1 Widgets suspects that their equipment has been tampered with. Accordingly, competitors will be responsible for conducting an investigation into F1 Widget’s IT infrastructure to determine whether or not a security breach has occurred.

The second half of the Masterclass has been developed by HP and will focus on the security policy in place at a Formula 1 organisation. Candidates will be tasked with reviewing current policies across the entire lifecycle of departments in the lead up to a race and identify any potential vulnerabilities. 

Following both the technical and policy challenges, candidates must present recommendations as to whether or not the race should proceed and improvements that could be made in future.

Candidates will take part in an intense day of competition on Saturday 9^th March and an awards ceremony will take place on Sunday 10^th March where the Cyber Security Challenge UK Champion 2013 will be announced.

Quotes

“In 2011 Cassidian delivered the Event Management Room for the 2011 Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix race ensuring the security of all events around the race. We understand that cyber security is a growing issue in all fields where success depends both on protecting the intellectual property (IP) of the product, in this case the car, and also the privacy of communications, such as information relayed between the F1 team during races, vital to performance on the track. We chose to test Masterclass finalists using this theme to provide an accurate representation of what cyber security professionals are up against on a daily basis” explains Roy Matthews, Cassidian’s Cyber Defence Lead. “Success in the Masterclass will be dependent on an individual’s ability to work effectively within a team to identify solutions to the technical and policy challenges.”

“Cyber defence skills are not solely based on technical aptitude. In the real-world, cyber security professionals need to have an awareness of wider business-to-business security and risk analysis, with the ability to understand how risks can impact the entire supply chain. The aim of our policy challenge is to get candidates to consider how much risk you accept before you expose the organisation to real danger or how secure you need to be before you run over budget or impede the operations of the team.” Says Jonathan Bathurst, Cyber Lead, UK Public Sector, HP Enterprise Services. “This is the third Masterclass HP has been proud to host, and is a demonstration of our commitment to improving the UK’s IT cyber security skills and boosting employment in our dynamic IT sector generally.”

“The Challenge is committed to supporting people to develop the skills needed for successful careers in cyber security – Masterclass is the ultimate platform for this to happen. By working with leading industry members like HP and Cassidian CyberSecurity we can enable all finalists to understand the realities of working in this exciting and hugely rewarding industry.” Says Stephanie Daman, CEO, Cyber Security Challenge UK.

Ends

For more information please contact our media team:

media@cybersecuritychallenge.org.uk

0845 680 1869

CALIDUS WMS optimises hazchem warehousing and distribution for Hanson Logistics

 Third-party logistics specialist Hanson Logistics is benefiting from standard off-the-shelf wireless warehouse management software from OBS Logistics. The sophisticated CALIDUS WMS simplifies the warehousing of hazardous and non-hazardous chemicals, including flammable products along with other goods.

The system makes it easy for Hanson Logistics to manage a wide range of goods, including lubricants, paints and surface treatments, optimising warehouse space and ensuring that they are stored safely according to strict Health & Safety standards in its top tier COMAH warehouse and flammable storage areas.

Using the system, Hanson Logistics has eliminated the hard work of ensuring that none compatible materials are segregated in the 55,000-sqft warehouse as well as in the flammable storage and sampling areas. The system also ensures batch traceability so that when a customer has tested a sample and agreed to order the product, the required quantity is taken from the correct batch.

“With CALIDUS WMS we are able to make the most efficient use of our warehouse space while working with the constraints of managing hazardous and non-hazardous products. Our chemical warehouse operation requires the complex algorithms that the system provides to ensure the stock is held in the right areas, keeping it safe as well as ensuring batch traceability. The system also ensures we run the fleet of forklifts effectively by having the option of ‘dual cycling’ so that we can maintain a very efficient operation in terms of storage and service,” says Paul Pheasey, Managing Director, Hanson Logistics.

CALIDUS WMS uses a number of unique separate algorithms to manage warehouse space so that chemical warehousing companies can run at a very high fill rate without compromising safety, flexibility, accuracy or service.

Dave Renshaw, CEO of OBS Logistics says, “With CALIDUS WMS we find we can run at well over 90 per cent, even with hazardous and non-hazardous products within the same facility. The system has full Hazchem functionality and will ensure that products are stored in the correct hazard area while optimising the available space. It also allows new customers to be catered for so that the company can develop its business without fear of compromising its service levels.”

OBS Logistics will be exhibiting at IMHX 2013 to meet with industry specialists at stand 17S91, facing Richard Noble’s ‘Bloodhound SSC.’

For more information contact

Kathryn Howarth, Group Marketing Manager, OBS Logistics Ltd (part of the Anisa Group): kathryn.howarth@anisagroup.com, tel: +44 (0)151 448 2972

About OBS Logistics

OBS Logistics (OBSL) provides best of breed warehouse management software and transport management software, including hosted solutions, for managing supply chain operations. The CALIDUS Total Logistics Solutions are in use across EMEA and AsiaPac to integrate and streamline logistics management processes end-to-end, and provide true visibility across supply chain operations.

Keep Your Pesky Hands Off my Mobile Data

Symantec - Keep Your Pesky Hands Off my Mobile Data

Creating A Successful BOYD Policy

Click image for full-size version.

Symantec - Creating a Successful BYOD Policy

The Market Creative set to double in size

The Market Creative is set to double in size following a series of new business wins, marking the company’s best year yet.

Over the last six months the retail marketing agency has grown its existing client base and won several new clients including Grafton Merchanting GB, Thomas Sanderson, PZ Cussons, The Fine Bedding Company, Rest Assured and Shipton and Co.  

As a result, the company has appointed a new account manager and is adding three new hires to its account handling and creative teams over the next few months.  To accommodate the expanding team, The Market Creative is looking to move from its offices on Third Avenue in Trafford Park to a more creative space in Salford Quays or Media City. 

Kathryn Wilday recently joined the company as account manager working on Shiptons, Rest Assured and Graftons. She has seven years marketing experience and her previous role was working as a freelance account manager for BJL and Creative Spark.

Account director Adam Tregaskis has been promoted to head of retail where he will oversee client services and be responsible for business development.

Sue Benson, managing director at The Market Creative said: “By the end of our financial year in June we are on track for more than doubling the turnover and profit, in just one year. We put this down to having successfully carved out a niche and to our in-depth grasp of our clients businesses. We mostly operate at board level, talking their language rather than from just a marketing perspective. This gives us a thorough understanding of our clients’ business and helps to set us apart from other agencies.”

“Despite the well reported suffering high street, some retailers and brands in retail spaces are getting it right and as a result are extremely buoyant. I feel that it is an exciting time for retail at the moment and we are in a strong position to continue to capitalise on this demanding and fast changing market.”  

For further information visit themarketcreative.com

The unsung heroes shaping roadshow success

comment from EMS MD Keith Austin

Bobby Moore, George Best, Kevin Keegan... they are all part of the football heroes line-up for the latest set of Royal Mail stamps. Keith Austin, managing director at Event Marketing Solutions (EMS) reflects on how the role of the hero isn’t just reserved for the rich and famous and how heroism is alive and well in the roadshow business.

Having just seen the line up of stars set to adorn our stamps it made me wonder how many people really count these as their heroes and if we were to compile our own list, who would we choose.

My guess is that many would consider those much closer to home and this got me thinking about the roadshow business, how we work at EMS and the exceptional role Unit Managers play out on the frontline. 

Our Unit Managers are the face of our business, critical to roadshow success and the real heroes behind the business. They are the people who work out in the field, the first to greet our clients on-site, responsible for delivering, setting up and managing the exhibition vehicles – and without a doubt they leave the longest lasting impression.

When I look back at their job specifications I wonder how we ever found such passionate people to fill these vital roles...full HGV licence,  great communicator, technically savvy, mechanically minded, multilingual, EMEA experience, problem solver, and happy to work away for long periods, over weekends and Christmas!  It’s these important ‘extras’ that make the difference to a tour’s success – they truly are the ‘games makers’ of the roadshow business.

We are fortunate to have recruited and inspired more than 15 of these trusty, committed professionals who work happily around the clock, leaving no stone unturned to ensure the delivery of some of the most engaging, inspiring and technically demanding experiences on behalf of our clients.

I am constantly bowled over by their ‘can do’ attitude 100% of the time - the show must go on and they are always ready and willing to jump on a plane at the drop of a hat or stay on the road to cover other tours.

The task of a Unit Manager is huge and requires wide-ranging skills, yet they execute it expertly. They are a critical part of the event-goers experience and the thanks and appreciation they receive from global audiences reconfirms that human contact can leave the most valuable long-lasting impression.

Green Deal consultancy - TheGreenAge

TheGreenAge - UK Finalist in CODE_n13 Innovation Contest

50 Green Finalists Chosen for International Competition; Winner Announced at CeBIT

London, January 22 2013 – TheGreenAge, a new startup aimed at helping consumers increase the energy efficiency of their homes and reducing their carbon footprint, is one of two UK companies to make the final of the CODE_n13 Contest and have the opportunity to win 15,000€ as well as present the business at the CeBIT 2013 trade show in Hanover, Germany (5-9 March). TheGreenAge is on the list of the 50 finalists for its innovative website that provides impartial advice and tools to help consumers save money on their energy bills and reduce their overall carbon footprint, whether at home or out and about.

“The variety and quality of the entries was incredible,” says Ulrich Dietz, initiator of CODE_n and CEO of GFT Technologies AG. “Once again, we will be presenting 50 highly interesting, up-and-coming firms at CODE_n. Anyone interested in energy transition solutions and meeting international start-up pioneers simply has to check out Hall 16 of CeBIT.” CODE_n finalists will have their own 4,000-square-metre area in Hall 16 at the world’s biggest IT trade show CeBIT to showcase their innovative business solutions.

James Alcock, Founder of TheGreenAge commented “This is a fantastic opportunity for us at TheGreenAge to get our message out to consumers who are struggling to pay their energy bills that there are numerous way to lower bills while also helping the environment”

The 50 finalists invited to CeBIT include companies from Germany, the USA, Spain, the UK, Greece, the Netherlands, Brazil and Switzerland. Participants from the Ukraine, Austria, Denmark, Iceland and Algeria will also be presenting their promising business concepts. A total of 250 companies from 35 nations had submitted entries. The winners of the two CODE_n13 Awards, each worth €15,000 in cash, will be chosen by a top-rate international jury on 7 March 2013.

“Energy transition offers tremendous opportunities for IT companies,” says Christopher Ortiz, Managing Director of CODE_n supporter, GFT UK. “Intelligent IT solutions alone, however, are still no guarantee of business success. Companies also need a compelling and well-conceived business plan which can turn their ideas into reality. Our finalists combine technology and business ideas – and thus have a great chance of firmly establishing their ideas on the market.”

About TheGreenAge

TheGreenAge was founded in 2012, and is the premier impartial green hub for consumers. It is an interactive platform allowing like minded individuals and businesses to connect and share ideas on green energy and environmental sustainability. TheGreenAge has also recently launched an innovative carbon offsetting shop that allows consumers to shop at their favourite high street stores online at ‘no extra cost’, whilst offsetting a large proportion of their carbon footprint in the process.

About CODE_n

CODE_n is an international initiative for digital pioneers, innovators and ground-breaking startups. Initiated in 2011 by GFT Technologies, the goal of this network is to support outstanding business talents and their exceptional business ideas, provide them with a platform for dialog, and therefore stimulate innovation in the field. CODE_n stands for “Code of the New,“ the DNA of innovation. The initiative is sponsored by Ernst & Young and Deutsche Messe.

In 2013, CODE_n will grant the CODE_n Award for the second time, this year under the motto “Smart Solutions for Global Challenges” with a focus on IT-based concepts for sustainable energy supply and usage. For further information visit: www.code-n.org.

For more press information re TheGreenAge contact:

Email: Alan.Bouquet@TheGreenAge.co.uk (Press Officer)

Number : 07738 381666

For more press information re CODE_n contact PR Savvy:

Kate Warwick, kate.warwick@prsavvy.co.uk, 078 1069 7282

Jan Howells, jan.howells@prsavvy.co.uk, 0771 388 3773