Media Advisory: Calling university students: Want to be a cyber guardian?

KPMG is hosting a Cyber Challenge Hackathon during #Cybersecurity Awareness Month

CALGARY, AB, Sept. 28, 2023 /CNW/ - Attention: KPMG in Canada is looking for cyber guardians – cybersecurity enthusiasts and tech-savvy post-secondary students for its upcoming Cyber Challenge hackathon.

"We're hoping to attract students into the cybersecurity profession," says Vidur Gupta, Partner, Cybersecurity, KPMG in Canada, who is based in Calgary. "There are more jobs available in this discipline than professional talent, and the demand is only expected to grow as organizations look to proactively protect their infrastructure and data from cybercriminals."

When:	October 24, 2023 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM MDT
Where:	Platform Calgary 497 9 Avenue Southeast Calgary, AB T2G 2K7

Students will face off against their peers in KPMG-designed technical challenges that span application security, infrastructure protection, reverse engineering, steganography, the art of open-source intelligence (OSINT), and cryptography.

"We will be focusing on operational technology, known as OT, as that's what cybercriminals and state-sponsored actors are increasingly targeting," says Mr. Gupta. "OT networks run the critical infrastructure like water, power and all utilities infrastructure that underpin our modern society. That makes it imperative that we do everything we can guard OT systems, and proactively root out and remediate vulnerabilities."

The hackathon is an in-person event only. The first team that hacks the operational technology (OT) environment and successfully changes the programmable logic controller (PLC) will be named the winner. In addition to prizes, participants will have an opportunity for internship and potential employment at KPMG.

To learn more and register for the event, click here. The registration deadline is October 20.

About KPMG in Canada

KPMG LLP, a limited liability partnership, is a full-service Audit, Tax and Advisory firm owned and operated by Canadians. For over 150 years, our professionals have provided consulting, accounting, auditing, and tax services to Canadians, inspiring confidence, empowering change, and driving innovation. Guided by our core values of Integrity, Excellence, Courage, Together, For Better, KPMG employs more than 10,000 people in over 40 locations across Canada, serving private- and public-sector clients. KPMG is consistently ranked one of Canada's top employers and one of the best places to work in the country. 

The firm is established under the laws of Ontario and is a member of KPMG's global organization of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International, a private English company limited by guarantee. Each KPMG firm is a legally distinct and separate entity and describes itself as such. For more information, see kpmg.com/ca.

SOURCE KPMG LLP

Caroline Van Hasselt, National Communications and Media Relations, KPMG in Canada, 416-777-3288, [email protected]