Campaign

At the recent launch of CivTech 9, a new cyber-related challenge sponsored by Scottish Government, was announced. Open to everybody, Challenge 9.6 is encouraging innovative solutions to break the Ransomware criminal model.

“How can technology help Scotland’s public sector protect against ransomware and other forms of cyber-crime, and should they occur mitigate and recover from their effects, including data loss?“

Challenge summary

Ransomware has become a sustained and significant cyber threat globally. Victims typically fall to automated, distributed attacks exploiting vulnerabilities in systems, processes and human behaviours. Once inside a network, a criminal may use digital technologies and tools to assess the victim’s worth before encrypting and or stealing sensitive data with which to extort the victim. The resultant disruption, recovery costs, and reputational damage can be significant.

The core components in the criminal model that if tackled, will break the model are;

1. Preventing the initial access through which the attack is launched,
2. preventing the encryption of data, and or
3. preventing the exfiltration of data.

Applicants are encouraged to address at least one of the components listed and come up with creative solutions to tackle the problems.

Key information for applicants:

Launch date
27 June 2023

Closing date
Midday, 22 August 2023

Exploration Stage interviews
Wednesday 27 September 2023

Exploration Stage
23 October to 10 November 2023

Accelerator interviews
Friday 17 November 2023

Accelerator Stage
11 December 2023 to 26 April 2024

Maximum contract value
£650,000

To find out more details about the challenge visit the official website here

To register for an online live Q&A on 18 July at 15:00 and learn more about the challenge click here