Page 38 - AKSES vol3

AKSES AR TIKEL PEN Y ELIDIK AN ADV ANCING KNOWLEDGE FOR SUC CESS FT SM UKM

TOWARDS YOUTH TALENT DEVELOPMENT IN CYBER SECURITY

Fariza Fauzi, Zarina Shukur, Mohd Jasmy Abd Rahman
far iza.fauzi@uk m.edu .m y

Cyber security skill shortage has been reported both globally and locally Cyber security skill is required in all
sectors, including the government, aiming to strengthen the national cyber defence. Specialized infrastructure
and extensive content are needed to develop our youths in this area. Current commercial solutions are costly and
involve annual licensing fees. An alternate option is open-source solution. However, this requires longer time to
set up the platform, as well as to devise the content.

A Bernama interview with Italy’s Ambassador, Cristiano Maggipinto on 4th May 2021, highlighted Italy’s interest
in collaborating with Malaysia in three main areas: academic and research, maritime and protection of critical
infrastructure. Following that, UKM and Italian National Inter university Consortium for Informatics (CINI) have
agreed to cooperate in the cyber security field, specifically in the research and training of cyber security experts
to address the skill shortage issue.

CyberChallenge.IT, a structured and game-based cybersecurity training program developed by CINI since 2017,
has been proven effective in developing youth, aged 16 – 23 in Italy. Selected participants underwent a total of
70 hours training, participated in both local and International “Capture the Flag” hacking competitions. It has, to
date, produced competitive Italian teams as well as knowledgeable and skilled cybersecurity graduates as feeder
to the industry.

A pilot adoption of this CyberChallenge.IT Program will be implemented at the beginning of the 2021/2022
academic session for students from the Faculty of Information Science and Technology (FTSM) and Pusat Kesatria
Universiti (Kesatria), with mathematics being the only prerequisite of this program. Kesatria manages the training
for a group of uniform bodies that are lined up for the nation’s defence forces, includes Pasukan Latihan Pegawai
Simpanan (PALAPES), Kor Sukarelawan Polis Siswa Siswi (SUKSIS) and Kor Siswa Siswi Pertahanan Awam (SISPA).
Students voluntarily join any body in Kesatria and undergo a special training. Upon completing it, they can be
commissioned as second sub-lieutenants in the army / air force or second lieutenant in the navy etc. With this
program, our goal is to develop youth in cyber security to reduce the skill shortage as well as strengthen the
national cyber defence.