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downsmail.co.uk Ben’s quest to beat cyber hackers


YOU may hear the words “computer hacking” and think of the negatives. But flip it on its head and call it “cyber security”, and you could even find yourself representing the UK in Spain.


That’s been the case for Ben Jack-


son, a 19-year-old student from Kings Hill, who has recently taken part in the European Cyber Secu- rity Challenge inMalaga. “It was a great experience,” he


said. “We had a strong team and we didwell, finishing fifth out of 15 teams. “It’s in the UK next year and I’m


excited to see howitwill be hosted. “I stumbled across the tourna-


ment, played around with some of the challenges and then I got an email in 2016 about their Mas- terquest event. I had a go at quali- fying and that led to this.” As part of the three-day competi-


tion, the teams took on a number of challenges, including deciphering complex codes and analysing net- works, as well as taking part in events where teams break into other networks to steal files while also trying to defend their own. These are the sort of challenges


Amnesty takes firearms off


Kent’s streets NEARLY 100 firearms, including il- legally held shotguns and rifles, were handed in during the first week of an amnesty byKent Police. Figures revealed 13 shotguns, 13


rifles, 18 revolvers, 14 pistols, 20 air rifles, 16 air pistols and ammuni- tionwere handed in during the first of the two-week surrender, which ended on November 27. Thosewho surrendered firearms


in this periodwill not face prosecu- tion for illegal possession and will remain anonymous. The firearms surrender was part


of a larger Kent Police operation, known as Operation Raptor, to tackle, disrupt and prevent violent crime and the possession of offen- siveweapons across the county.


Path to close


AFOOTPATHis to be shut in a bid to stop dogs from fouling on foot- ball pitches. The path, from Paddlesworth


Road to White Dyke Road at the foot of the North Downs, will be closed at the beginning of January. It is not a footpath, but a permis-


sive path which can only be used with the permission of the land owner – the town council. A public footpath exists 300yds further down Paddlesworth Road.


14 Malling December 2017


that governments and organisa- tions are facing on a daily basis, so provides Benwith good experience for any future career – although he admits he has not yet decided the direction inwhich hewill head. The first year degree student in


computer science and information security at Royal Holloway insists thatwhile there are obviously neg- ative connotations towhat he does, they are vital skills. “I could theoretically use my


skills for bad but, of course, I wouldn’t,” he said. “We need peo- ple who can do things like this – if you read anything about the cyber security industry, youwill see there is a massive skills shortage, and this sort of thing is helping to ad- dress this and stop the notion that all computer hacking is bad. “I’m not sure specifically want I


want to do at themoment. I’mstill studying and beyond that I haven’t really got anything particular in


Cyber security challenger Ben Jackson, front left, with the UK teamin Spain


mind, except toworkwith comput- ers.” Ben,who also enjoys Brazilian ju-


jitsu, liveswith his parents, brother and sister inKingsHillwhen not at university. He was the youngest member of


the team to travel to Spain. BAE Systems cyber expert Tim Pullen, who coached the team, is pleased to see cyber security enthusiasts com- ing through. “It is really important to support


Chloe’s design fits the bill


AN Aylesford estate agents will have new-look signs in 2018 – and they have been designed bymem- bers of the public. Bluebell Estates’ managing di-


rector John-Paul Rafferty came up with the competition to mark his 10th anniversary at the company. The overall winner was Chloe


Jones, a 17-year-old student at St Simon Stock School inMaidstone, who is pictured receiving her £1,000 prize fromMr Rafferty. There were also a number of


runners-up in the competition, winning prizes of £100 ,whichwas


judged by Chathamand Aylesford MP Tracey Crouch.


Animal centre’s welcome gift


AN RSPCA centre near West Malling has been awarded £250 from housebuilder Taylor Wimpey as part of its charity suggestion box scheme. RSPCA Leybourne Animal Centre was voted for by visitors to the


builder’s nearby development as part of the business’s regular dona- tion scheme. LeybourneAnimalCentre is a 23-acre site used for the rehabilitation


and rehoming of domestic animals, including dogs and cats, rabbits, birds and guinea pigs - and sometimes farm stock – as well as being a temporary holding centre forwildlife casualties. BeccaWilliams, the centre’smanager, said: “Wewill use themoney


to provide enrichment, such as toys, scratching posts and treats, for the animals at the centrewhile theywait to be adopted.” RSPCA Leybourne Animal Centre’s area includes Kent, Sussex,


Essex and parts ofGreater London and relies entirely on donations.A dedicated teamof volunteers work tirelessly to support its work. The centre was built with the support of the national RSPCA and local branches and opened in June 1996.


the next generation of cyber secu- rity talent, not only to ensuremore young people take it up as a career, but also to show the rest of the world the UK’s amazing cyber se- curity capabilities,” he said. “We support Cyber Security


Challenge UK as competitions like theirs and the ECSCcan help to un- earth talentwhichwould bemissed through traditional recruitment processes and is critical to continue to growthe cyber security sector.”


Callous theft


of appeal box AMANhas been jailed for stealing a Poppy Appeal box from a super- market in an act slammed as “dis- graceful” by Kent Police. Robert Barrow (46), of no fixed


address, took the charity box from the Tesco store in Larkfield at 10.38pmon Thursday,November 2. He was recognised by the local


PCSOfromCCTVfootage, andwas subsequently arrested on Tuesday, November 7 in BrenchleyGardens, Maidstone. Burrows was charged with theft


and possession of cannabis, and ap- peared via video link before Med- way Magistrates later that day, where he received a prison sen- tence of 130 days and was ordered to pay £100 in compensation. The Poppy Appeal collects


money in the build-up to Remem- brance Sunday, and this crime is one Kent Police are keen to stamp out. Chief Inspector Maxine Martin


said: “Burrows has stolen from a charity that helps those in most need. By bringing him to justice in a swift manner, my officers have ensured he is not at large to commit further offences this year. “While in prison he should re-


flect on his disgraceful conduct and how it compares to exemplary ef- forts of the charity volunteers who work tirelessly to help the vulnera- ble in our community.”


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