Matrix Challenge

Manchester City Council recently forwarded to us an email from Greater Manchester Autism Consortium (GMAC) about the Matrix Challenge, a cyber skills competition for young people aged 11 to 17 years across the United Kingdom.

In the words of Mari Saeki, Project Lead for GMAC and National Autistic Society:

Many of you are aware that at GMAC we are increasingly concerned about cyber criminality and about Neuro Diverse young people becoming caught up in this awful crime.

The Matrix challenge is a positive way to offer our bright young people the opportunity to display their talents in a safe way working alongside the Police and their partner agencies both in the public and private sector.

What is the Matrix Challenge?

The National Matrix Challenge 2020 is a cyber skills competition created and organised by the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Cyber Crime Unit (YHRCCU). It is open to every 11 to 17 year old in the UK and will test participants’ knowledge of the computer misuse act, how to stay safe online and then really push those cyber skills.

It is split into two age categories (11-14 and 15-17 years old) and will be held in 3 stages.

The first stage of the Matrix Challenge is a fun online game designed to test digital skills and encourage the development of abilities that would enable a career in the cyber security landscape. It will run between Monday 20th January to Friday 14th February 2020. The game should take around 45 minutes to complete.

Once stage one closes, the top players from every region will be invited to a live mini-event where they will take on a number of challenging activities designed and delivered by the cyber security industry. This regional semi-final that will take place by the 30th March 2020, where the top three in each age group will then represent their region at the national live final.

The live final will take place in the south of England on Saturday July 4th and a contribution towards travel will be provided (full details to be announced soon).

Please visit the Matrix Challenge website for more details.

A Message from the Organisers

Below is a message from Claire Burrows, Detective Constable | Cyber Crime Prevent for the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (NWROCU):

Our goal is to provide young people in the United Kingdom with an opportunity to learn about the legal use of their computing skills and put their knowledge to the test to compete for a place at our live final where they will meet a number of leading industry experts.

To support this initiative, we will be running Cyber Roadshows during January 20th and February 14th 2020.

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For more information and downloadable resources, please go to www.matrix-challenge.uk

Please help us by supporting and promoting Matrix Challenge 2020 and use the hashtag #matrixchallenge2020 on social media.