The pupils showed their knowledge during the Silesian CYBERhackathon 2024
The second edition of the Silesian CYBERhackathon was extremely popular. Twenty teams from all over the Silesian Voivodeship took part in a competition organized jointly by JSW IT Systems Sp. z o.o. and the Faculty of Mining, Safety Engineering and Industrial Automation of the Silesian University of Technology and the Information Exchange and Analysis Centre for the Mining and Energy sector ISAC-GIG.
CYBERhackhaton is not an ordinary competition for computer science lovers. In this competition one has to demonstrate extraordinary skills. Pupils of secondary schools who, despite their young age, are well versed in modern technological solutions are taking part in this competition. The competition participants proved this by designing websites and applications, and all this in just a few hours, because that is how long the competition lasted.
"Cybersecurity is a very serious challenge we face, so we should get used to it from an early age We want to educate in this area and build the sensitivity of all users of the network, which is why we join the organization of events such as CYBERhackhaton - said Dr Hab. Eng. . Tomasz Trawiński, prof. SUT, Vice-Rector for Infrastructure and Promotion while opening the competition.
The event was an excellent opportunity to learn the secrets of counteracting cyber-crimes. "These may be hacking into our personal accounts, phishing, but also attacks on control systems of large industrial plants, which are mostly automated today, and processes are controlled via Internet links and such threats were discussed, among others during this competition," said Vice-Rector Trawiński.
Twenty teams from the Silesian Voivodeship entered the competition.
The task of the participants was to propose certain solutions for companies from the mining and energy sector. We tried to select tasks in such a way that they related to various aspects - from the safety of people in the plants, to the escape routes. The issues also focused on environmental protection, the use of post-industrial areas or the preparation of solutions using artificial intelligence - said Bogdan Czyż from JSW IT Systems, chairman of the jury of CYBERhackhaton.
From among the proposed topics, the teams chose one and prepared a project, e.g. a website, computer game or application, and then presented their work to a committee of experts composed of representatives of the world of science and industry.
The participants did not hide that this is a fantastic opportunity to check the level of their knowledge in the field of programming.
We were preparing two weeks earlier. We met the whole team almost every day. We designed the application. We will check whether we are able to act under the influence of time, how we are doing in critical thinking, especially under the influence of stress – admitted one of the participants of the competition - Denis Bichler from the Complex of Civil Engineering Schools in Rybnik.
1st place in this year's competition was won by the team from The 1st Secondary Comprehensive School named after W. Broniewski in Świdnik, the second place was won by students from Technical School No. 1 from the Complex of Technical and Information Technology Schools in Gliwice, and the third place went to the team from the Complex of Technical and Commercial Schools named after Franciszek Kępka in Bielsko-Biała.
In addition, the jury awarded two awards: from Vector Software Group for the 2nd Secondary Comprehensive School with bilingual units named after E. Plater in Sosnowiec and from Red Ocean Spółka z o.o. for the Complex of Civil Engineering Schools in Rybnik.
The Silesian CYBERhackathon was organized by the Faculty of Mining, Safety Engineering and Industrial Automation of the Silesian University of Technology in Gliwice and the Centre for Information Exchange and Analysis for the Mining and Energy sector (ISAC-GIG).
The event was sponsored by: Ministry of Digital Affairs, Ministry of National Education and Ministry of Science and Higher Education.
