Wanted: ‘Cyber Ninjas’

NYT ^ | 01/03/10 | CHRISTOPHER DREW

[TigerLikesRooster]

January 3, 2010

CYBERSECURITY

Wanted: ‘Cyber Ninjas’

By CHRISTOPHER DREW

FOR a regional competition last spring, eight students from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, spent six months of Saturdays practicing how to defend a typical business computer network from attacks. Then, over two grueling days, they outscored teams from five other schools at blocking worms and other efforts to disrupt their e-mail and Internet systems.

For the six seniors in the group, all in computer information systems, the victory was even sweeter. Boeing, the giant aerospace and military company, offered them jobs.

Boeing’s decision to snap up all the graduates on the team shows how urgent the demand for computer-security experts has become, and helps explain why colleges are scrambling to add courses and specialized degrees in the once-exotic field.

In fact, as attacks on vital computer systems proliferate, surveys show a serious shortage of talent to combat them. Banks, military contractors and software companies, along with federal agencies, are looking for “cyber ninjas” to fend off a sophisticated array of hackers, from criminals stealing credit card numbers to potential military adversaries.

[TigerLikesRooster]

Ping!

[RabidBartender]

I thought ninjas attacked. Would “cyber samurai” be better?

[thefactor]

The cyber-ninjas:

[TigerLikesRooster]

The ninja-style black hood and black uniforms are popular for many commandos all over the world. That may have something to do with it.

Or is it due to one-time popularity of Ninja Turtles?:-)

[ExcursionGuy84]

How's this for a *cyber-ninja ?

Maybe they just need someone with "Processor-over-Matter" skills.

*= the Autobot PROWL from Hasbro/Cartoon Networks Transformers Animated

[TigerLikesRooster]

That's basically an animation adaptation of traditional Japanese armor (for feudal lord or higher.)

[ExcursionGuy84]

Yep. Basically, Hasbro did a "Samuri Prowl" upgrade/redeco that Cartoon Networks put into the show back when it was on the airwaves.

[Even though the life-differences between Samuri and Ninjas are diametrically-opposite to each other]

[ShadowAce]

[paulycy]

[Rebelbase]

I have no problem with Nijas.

[martin_fierro]

Physical security is the last line of defense.

[anymouse]

Cal Poly’s computer science dept. has come a long way since I was there. (Hint: they were still using punch cards then.)

[papasmurf]

O Da ley, CalPoly...that’s Pomona, S.A. Vato!

[JerseyHighlander]

You just posted a photo of a bong on FR.
Dude, on a IT security thread.

[neverdem]

thanks, bfl

[thefactor]

Ha! I know! But he’s wearing a ski mask like a ninja.