Daejeon, South Korea – A coalition of ten prominent organizations and institutions in South Korea's Chungcheong region, spearheaded by the Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL), has announced a groundbreaking 'Cyber Threat Scenario' competition aimed at cultivating the next generation of cybersecurity experts. The initiative, open to all currently enrolled and on-leave university and graduate students within the Chungcheong provinces, seeks to harness the innovative thinking of young minds to address the ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats. The deadline for submissions is set for July 31st, 2025.

This collaborative endeavor underscores the growing recognition of the critical importance of cybersecurity in an increasingly interconnected world. The joint organizers, a diverse group comprising KORAIL, the National Intelligence Service (NIS), Daejeon Metropolitan City, Chungnam National University, Korea Western Power Co., Ltd., Korea Water Resources Corporation (K-water), Korea Midland Power Co., Ltd., Korea National Railway Authority, the Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information (KISTI), and the esteemed Korea Institute of Information Security and Cryptology (KIISC), represent a powerful alliance between government, academia, and critical infrastructure sectors. Their collective investment in this competition highlights the urgent need for proactive strategies and skilled professionals to safeguard vital systems and data.

The competition challenges students to develop realistic and insightful scenarios across eight strategically important domains: railway systems, Artificial Intelligence (AI) security, smart city infrastructure, the burgeoning K-defense industry, water resource management systems, power generation facilities, gas distribution networks, and software supply chains. This broad range of categories reflects the multifaceted nature of modern cyber threats, which can target virtually any connected system. Recognizing the interconnectedness of these sectors, the organizers are also encouraging participants to submit multiple entries across different domains, fostering a holistic understanding of potential vulnerabilities.

Participants, who can compete individually or in teams of up to three, are tasked with crafting detailed scenarios that outline potential cyber threats, their potential impact, and proposed mitigation strategies. The judging process will involve a rigorous evaluation by experts in each specific domain, ensuring that the selected scenarios are not only creative but also technically sound and practically relevant. A total of eleven winning entries will be recognized for their excellence. The grand prize winner will be awarded a substantial sum of 5 million Korean Won (approximately $3,700 USD), while ten outstanding teams, representing the top submissions in each of the eight categories, will each receive 3 million Korean Won (approximately $2,200 USD).

The call for innovative solutions comes at a time when cyber threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated and pervasive globally. Nation-state actors, organized criminal groups, and individual hackers are constantly developing new methods to exploit vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure, steal sensitive data, and disrupt essential services. The sectors highlighted in this competition – transportation, energy, urban development, and defense – are particularly vulnerable targets due to their strategic importance and the potential for widespread disruption in the event of a successful cyberattack.

The inclusion of Artificial Intelligence as a specific category underscores the emerging challenges and opportunities presented by this transformative technology. While AI offers immense potential for innovation and efficiency, it also introduces new attack vectors and the possibility of AI-powered cyberattacks. Similarly, the focus on smart city infrastructure recognizes the increasing reliance on interconnected digital systems in urban environments, making them attractive targets for malicious actors seeking to cause chaos or extract valuable information. The emphasis on software supply chain security reflects the growing awareness of the risks associated with vulnerabilities in third-party software, which can have cascading effects across numerous organizations.

The Chungcheong region, home to a significant number of universities and research institutions, is strategically positioned to become a hub for cybersecurity talent development. This competition leverages the intellectual capital of the region's student population, providing a platform for them to apply their knowledge and skills to real-world cybersecurity challenges. By engaging students in this way, the organizing institutions aim to not only generate innovative threat scenarios but also to inspire and guide talented individuals towards careers in the crucial field of information security.

Won Jong-cheol, Head of KORAIL's Digital Convergence Division, aptly emphasized the significance of this collaborative initiative, stating, "In a situation where cyber threats are becoming increasingly intelligent, we hope that this collaboration between universities and public institutions will serve as an opportunity to strengthen practical response capabilities and cultivate local talent." His remarks highlight the symbiotic relationship between academia and public service in addressing complex security challenges and the long-term vision of fostering a skilled cybersecurity workforce within the region.

The competition's website (ccsc2025.kr) serves as the central resource for interested students, providing detailed information about the contest rules, submission guidelines, and the specific requirements for each category. Participants are required to submit their well-crafted cyber threat scenarios via email to ccsc2025@kisti.re.kr by the July 31st deadline. The straightforward application process encourages broad participation from the region's student body.

This 'Cyber Threat Scenario' competition represents a proactive and forward-thinking approach to bolstering cybersecurity preparedness. By engaging the creativity and technical skills of university students, the Chungcheong region's leading organizations are not only seeking innovative solutions to potential cyber threats but also investing in the future of their information security workforce. This collaborative model could serve as an example for other regions and nations seeking to strengthen their cybersecurity defenses and cultivate the talent needed to navigate the increasingly complex digital landscape. The outcomes of this competition are eagerly anticipated, with the potential to yield valuable insights into emerging cyber threats and to identify the bright minds that will lead the charge in protecting critical infrastructure and digital assets in the years to come.