Many congratulations to the Strongest LINC team, a group of first year LINCS (Leverhulme Interdisciplinary Network on Cybersecurity and Society) doctoral scholars, who were runners-up in the Atlantic Council 9/12 UK Cyber Challenge competition, 11-12 February 2019, at the BT Tower in London.  The team taking part in this prestigious competition were pipped at the post by a team from Cambridge University. 

The team members, pictured from left to right were, Rebekah Corbett (PhD Law, School of Law), Olly Donnelly (PhD Politics, School of HAPP), Claire Bevan (PhD Politics, School of HAPP) and Ciara McHugh (PhD International Studies, School of HAPP). Dr Philip O'Kane, lecturer from the Centre for Secure Information Technologies (CSIT) was their coach.

Commenting on the team’s success in the competition, Dr O’Kane said: “This competition illustrates the importance of understanding the impact of a cyber-attack on a country's economy. It presents university teams with increasingly difficult challenges that demonstrate the complex world of cybersecurity, in terms of technology and managing the multi-facet impact of such attacks.  These challenges required the teams taking part to exhibit the ability to analyse and adapt to a changing scenario.

“The Queen’s LINCS students demonstrated great determination and skills that eliminated many other top UK universities. Our team reached the final round, and they were pipped to the post by the University of Cambridge.  I add my congratulations to our students and the recognition for an impressive first attempt at a UK wide challenge.”

Their prize is a two day visit to the Cyber Defence Alliance offices in London, as well as an invitation to a more formal dinner in October.

LINCS at QUB was established in 2015 and builds on the existing interdisciplinary work between CSIT (The Centre for Secure Information Technologies) and the Senator George J. Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Security and Justice.  LINCS opens up new avenues of enquiry, allowing researchers to develop new collaborations and offer truly interdisciplinary support to its Leverhulme Doctoral Scholars.

There is still time to apply for the next academic year to be part of this dynamic group of doctoral scholars!  The deadline for the LINCS scholarship programme is 1st March at 5pm (UK time).  Click here to find out more about the application process.