The Venture Center’s JOLT Cyber Challenge To Train Tech Workforce During “Techtober”
The JOLT Cyber Challenge gamifys tech workforce development; supports cyber security efforts
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. August 27, 2019 – The Venture Center today announced its annual JOLT Cyber Challenge, a hands-on job training cyber competition held during Techtober, Arkansas’ annual season of tech celebration. The event will be held at the Walton School of Business, 119 Main Street in Little Rock from October 11 – 13, 2019. Last year’s event drew over 100 competitors and gamemasters, and this year’s event is expected to garner over 130 participants. A maximum of 40 teams may register, and those who register by September 27 will receive a free JOLT t-shirt.
JOLT is a Jeopardy-style “capture the flag” cyber competition run by gamemasters who are experts in cyber security and technology development. Teams of four compete in challenges grouped by category, with higher difficulty levels earning higher point values. Participants aren’t required to be coders, but tech savvy is helpful.
“We are pleased to host our sixth JOLT Cyber Competition, serving to develop a booming technological workforce right here in Arkansas,” said Wayne Miller, Executive Director of The Venture Center. “The teams participating in JOLT will leave the event better prepared to navigate real-world vulnerabilities through challenges designed by cyber security experts. We’re grateful for the opportunity to strengthen our tech community through JOLT.”
“JOLT is primarily a community event. Students get to meet industry professionals and those professionals get to work with their peers from other companies. The variety of puzzles forces participants to stretch their critical thinking skills. Teams will leave with greater ability to work together and solve complex problems,” said Christopher Wright, CEO of Citadel Systems and Lead Gamemaster.
Competitors will compete for prizes while developing high-level tech skills in areas including: Remote access exploits, web vulnerabilities, code breaking, physical security, privilege escalation, reverse engineering, code manipulation. Corporate team registration is $500, independent teams are $300, and student teams are $225. Individual registrants will be placed with a team at the event. For more information, visit www.venturecenter.co/jolt.
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About The Venture Center
The Venture Center is a globally recognized Arkansas based Entrepreneurial Support Organization (ESO) that helps entrepreneurs turn their start-ups into viable, high-growth businesses. By leveraging the expertise of a world class team of mentors, intensive programming and introductions to the investor community, The Venture Center serves as an engine for economic growth in Arkansas and beyond.