Windhoek
A team of 11 Namibia University of Science and Technology (Nust) students will be part of the first-ever International Collegiate Cyber Security Competition to be held in the United States of America in July.
The group is the winner of the Namibian National Cyber Security Competition (NNCSC) launched last year to curb cybercrime worldwide. Mercy Chitauro, a lecturer in the faculty, says the competition is set to provide students with real-world challenges simulated in a theoretical environment that models a practical corporate network to curb these crimes.
Students are challenged to protect these corporate networks, while at the same time attending to normal day-to-day activities, such as setting up e-mails, attending to employee queries and serving clients under strict deadlines. The team is going to be exposed to what they have learned and gain more knowledge.
“We’re prepared and ready for the competition. I’m so excited that we’re going to gain the international experience, because we will compete against the smartest nations,” says student Klaudia Uuzombala.
Stanfond Musarurwa says: “It will be an opportunity and a challenge for us to explore our skills and potential. We’ll be exposed to what we need to improve and learn what we don’t know. I’m very excited to participate in the global level competition.”
“It will not be only a competition to us, because we’re going to put our theory into practice. I think Namibia needs more security professionals and here we’re going to represent our nation,” enthused Victoria Shakela.
Cybercrime includes bank fraud, identity theft and extortion. Some of the countries that will be participating in the competition are Australia, Japan, Canada and Indonesia.
Chitauro noted that the students need financial help to meet all the costs associated with their participation in the competition.