Talented UQ hackers Jayden Young and Rohan van Klinken will represent Team Oceania at the upcoming 'World Cup of Cybersecurity' being held on the Gold Coast.
(Photo credit: The University of Queensland )
Two young hackers from The University of Queensland will take on the planet's top computing minds when the 'world cup' of cybersecurity arrives on the Gold Coast in May.
Key points
- The 2026 International Cybersecurity Challenge will be held on the Gold Coast from May 18 to 21 hosted by UQ Cyber and AUSCERT
- The competition is widely considered the 'Wold Cup of Cyber' and a global stage for up-and-coming hacking talent
- UQ students Jayden Young and Rohan van Klinken will be fighting to deliver Team Oceania its first ever world title
Bachelors of Computer Science and Mathematics students Jayden Young and Rohan van Klinken face a gruelling test of endurance and creativity when Team Oceania vies for its first International Cybersecurity Challenge (ICC) title from May 18 to 21.
The ICC is held annually in different countries and features teams of 15 hackers aged 18 to 25 playing out simulated cybersecurity threats in a pseudo-E-Sports arena.
It's the third year Rohan has qualified for Team Oceania, having captained the side in 2025.
The 21-year-old from Brisbane again expects the tournament to be a stern test of the mind and body as competitors flex skills that many would have once considered antisocial.
"It's interesting to think that people with the ability to hack into things were once treated as criminals, but competitions like this show that has completely changed," Rohan said.
"Understanding how systems work and how they can be broken and fixed is a skill like any other, and companies want people who can tell them how they can be hacked.
"Things like system exploitation and cryptography have gone from clandestine activities to prized skills in a modern digital economy."
The ICC is being held in Australia for the first time this year, with the UQ Cyber Research Centre and UQ cybersecurity not-for-profit AUSCERT jointly hosting.
Rohan, Jayden and Team Oceania will compete against elite hacking squads from Europe, Asia, South East Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, the United States, and Canada in 8-hour sessions of capture-the-flag and attack-and-defence challenges designed to mirror real-world cyber threats.
Europe are the 4-time reigning champions, while Team Oceania will be looking to beat its best finish of 2nd place in 2023.
UQ Cyber Research Centre director Professor Ryan Ko said the ICC was ultimately designed to strengthen the path to industry for the next generation.
"These events are meant to reach an age group that is the future of cybersecurity at a time when they are considering where they want to be in life," Professor Ko said.
"It's important to tell these students that the skills they're developing in cybersecurity are highly sought after and can be used for the greater good."
UQ cyber talent production line rolls on
Both Rohan and Jayden are members of the UQ Cyber Squad that meets weekly to discuss cybersecurity trends and threats and compete in friendly hacking competitions that mirror the ever-changing cybersecurity landscape.
Jayden said the pace at which cybersecurity threats have evolved meant curiosity was the most important skill to take into the ICC.
"The most crucial thing in hacking and cybersecurity is acknowledging that what may have worked 6 months ago is no longer relevant," Jayden said.
"It is a constantly evolving environment, and you need to keep on top of the latest trends and be curious about how things are done.
"When you are faced with something new you often have to take it apart bit by bit and figure it out."
This year's competition will run during the 25th annual AUSCERT Conference with industry spectators and cybersecurity academics from across the globe getting a front row seat to the action.
AUSCERT is the oldest cybersecurity firm in Australia and counts UQ head of cybersecurity Dr David Stockdale as its director.
Dr Stockdale said he was proud to continue a decades-long legacy of hosting established cyber minds while also providing room for young talent to shine.
"Hosting both the conference and the ICC is a real bridge between the old and the new," Dr Stockdale said.
"It's especially exciting to see how our emerging talent is rising to the new challenges and how they could be integral to Australia's sovereign capability in this field."
- The 5th International Cyber Challenge will be held at The Star Gold Coast concurrently with the 25th AUSCERT conference from May 18 to 21
