Hacking Competitions and Their Untapped Potential for Security Education

Abstract

Information security educators can learn much from the hacker community. The word "hacker" is controversial, and the idea of emulating this community is problematic to some. However, we use the term in its purest form: individuals who creatively explore technology and push it in new directions. Because of this imaginative, playful spirit, most hacker conferences sponsor diverse and intense competitions, many organized by the attendees themselves and facilitated via the conference organizers. These competitions test participants' ingenuity and problem-solving skills are fun and innovative, and draw large, enthusiastic groups of participants and spectators.