CLCERT and Microsoft organize the first “Ethical Hacking Challenge” contest in Chile

Under the auspices of Microsoft, the Chilean GroupIncident Response Computer Security, CLCERT-composed of academics andresearchers of the SID-CMM and DCC, organizes this new competition, which aimsto raise awareness about computer security, while assessing the level oftechnical expertise in this area in Chile.

“Ethical Hacking Challenge is a unique initiativeat the national level, such it  is tofind security flaws in the configuration and operation of a particular machine.To this aim, participants should “hack” a server designed for thispurpose.

The server “Challenge” runs MicrosoftWindows Server 2003 R2 ™ and uses Microsoft Internet Information Server 6 ™software as Web services. This server will have three vulnerabilities intentionallydesigned, each with a greater degree of difficulty.

Those participants who first achieve to successfullyenter the server through any of the vulnerabilities or  new ones, will be the winners of the $ 250,000pesos.

The competition consists of three phases, eachcorresponding to a vulnerability, and a winner will be chosen by phase orvulnerability violated.

“Ethical Hacking Challenge begins on Monday,April 21 and will be extended from 30 to 60 days in each phase of attack. Theofficial announcement of the winners will take place 15 days after the expiryof the whole contest.

Participants must be Chileans living in the country,over 18 years of age working or studying in the area of computer security, itbeing necessary to prove this requirement.

Bases and inscriptions:http://www.clcert.cl/challenge.php

CLCERT is an entity composed of academics andresearchers from the School of Physical Sciences and Mathematics (FCFM) at theUniversity of Chile. Its mission is to monitor and analyse the problems ofsecurity of computer systems in the country, and reduce the number of securityincidents perpetrated and from these. Among its objectives is to deliver in a timely andsystematic information on security vulnerabilities and threats, and educate thecommunity at large on security issues by promoting policies that allow itsimplementation. CLCERT promotes Internet use, the open computersystems, and information technologies, making their use safer, and thereforeenjoy the trust of the community that uses them.