The Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA) held a realistic hacking competition utilizing generative artificial intelligence (AI) to assess security vulnerabilities and incident response systems in public institutions' personal data processing systems. Local university students simulated real attack scenarios to identify vulnerabilities, while security personnel from the institutions detected and blocked threats, aiming to enhance cyber threat response capabilities in the generative AI era and foster security talent.
KISA announced on August 31 that it, along with the National Intelligence Service branch and the Korea Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (KCA), hosted the 'AI Privacy Challenge' competition at the KCA headquarters in Gwangju, Jeollanam-do, to address cyber threats using generative AI.
The competition involved simulated hacking scenarios targeting the personal data processing systems operated by KISA and KCA. KISA explained that it assessed security vulnerabilities and incident response systems while providing local university students with hands-on cybersecurity experience using generative AI.
According to KISA, the National Intelligence Service branch, KISA, and KCA jointly managed the competition from planning to execution.
Students from universities in Gwangju formed teams of three to participate. They used generative AI to identify security vulnerabilities in the personal data processing systems of KISA and KCA and analyzed their impact. In response, security personnel from each institution detected threat information in real-time and performed blocking and recovery actions, validating the effectiveness of their incident response systems.
Evaluation criteria for the competition included the significance, applicability, and impact of the identified vulnerabilities. Three teams, including the 'Runaway Ninja Team' from Chonnam National University, received awards for best, excellent, and encouragement categories.
Lee Dong-geun, head of KISA's Management Planning Division, stated, “This competition is significant as it involved local university students and institutional security personnel working together in a practical contest. We will continue to focus on creating a safe digital ecosystem and nurturing cybersecurity talent through public-private-academic collaboration.”
Jeong Gyeong-gu, head of the KCA's Operations Support Division, remarked, “As we handle various personal data in the course of our work related to spectrum use, broadcasting and telecommunications promotion, national technical qualification testing, and ICT fund management, we will strive to strengthen collaboration with young security talents and ensure the safe protection of personal data.”
* This article has been translated by AI.
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