Britain’s would-be computer hackers are to be targeted in a campaign to persuade them to turn their back on illegal activities and become cyber security “top guns”.

Organisers of a series of online competitions are planning to emulate a US Government-backed scheme to encourage computer whiz-kids to work in internet security.

The US Cyber Challenge was launched earlier this year to find 10,000 of America’s brightest young talents. A British version is being planned next year, with backing from the SANS Institute, a computer security training body. Entrants could be asked to play a series of virtual games where they have to extract passwords from a computer, capture websites or fight off attackers.

In one of the US challenges, competitors have to analyse a hard drive to find evidence to convict criminals who have stolen guns; in another they have to defend a network from attacks.

If recruited, they could earn sixfigure salaries in the future with the Government, the security services or with leading corporations. Judy Baker, a security consultant, is co-ordinating negotiations with British companies to provide backing and a management structure for the venture.

“Government and business need more and better security experts to protect intellectual property and business continuity and keep private communications private,” she said.

“Plans are developing for a public/private management consortium that would include representatives from leading business sectors and organisations,” The initiative could become part of Britain’s newly launched national cyber security strategy. The Government has pledged to toughen internet security in an effort to protect the £50 billion spent a year online from attacks by hostile states and criminals.

Lord West, the Security Minister, has said that Britain needs “youngsters who are deep into this stuff” to combat attacks. E-crime is estimated to cost Britain several billion pounds a year. Britain has set up an Office of Cyber Security in the Cabinet Office to co-ordinate policy across government and pool intelligence from police and security services. A new Cyber Security Operations Centre based at GCHQ will co-ordinate the protection of the country’s major IT systems.

The winner of the first contest in the US Cyber Challenge was a 17-year-old student from Connecticut. Michael Coppola gained extra credit for breaking into the scoring system and awarding himself 10,000 points.

The best of the best from the US scheme will be hired by the likes of the National Security Agency, FBI and Defence Department.

SANS plans to offer winners of the British contests places on its courses and provide experts as mentors. Other prizes may include scholarships, bursaries for university places, support for PhDs and work experience.

Organisers hope to begin the challenge late next year, with some trials earlier in the year.

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