In late October, the final of the 2023 GeekCon AVSS took place in an open parking lot, where a group of masked hackers gathered around laptops to probe a newly released SUV’s intelligent onboard system for weaknesses. This annual cybersecurity contest, organized by DarkNavy, drew in 93 teams, with only six making it to the final stage after completing challenges involving compromising the operating systems of Android phones and smart vehicles against the clock.
The competition aims not only to showcase the skills of hackers but also to raise awareness about the vulnerabilities that exist in everyday devices and products. Wang Qi, chairman and CEO of DarkNavy, emphasized the importance of understanding that there are no vulnerability-free systems in the world, and vulnerabilities can only be fixed when discovered by hackers.
Although mainstream recognition of the positive impact of “white hat” hackers has been lacking, GeekCon serves as a platform to highlight the valuable role these hackers play in improving security. White hat hackers are focused on finding solutions and improvements rather than exploiting vulnerabilities for malicious purposes.
The negative perception of hackers as criminals invading networks for personal gain has hindered the acceptance of white hat hackers by tech companies and manufacturers. However, events like GeekCon aim to change this narrative and emphasize the importance of cybersecurity in today’s digital world.
Through competitions like GeekCon, the talent and expertise of white hat hackers are put on display, showcasing their ability to find solutions and expose vulnerabilities in systems. The contest not only offers a grand prize of 50,000 yuan but also provides winners with a place in GeekCon’s Hall of Fame.
The importance of investing in cybersecurity and recognizing the value of white hat hackers was highlighted during the event. Wang emphasized the need for companies to prioritize security and invest in resources to prevent vulnerabilities from being exploited.
The competition also shed light on the need for standardized approaches to cybersecurity and the role of companies in prioritizing security within their organizations. Wang’s experience with companies that undervalue security departments underscores the importance of recognizing the contributions of white hat hackers in protecting systems and products.
The event also explored the challenges faced by the security industry, including the increasing sophistication of hackers and the rapid rise of black and gray hacking industries. Wei Tao from Ant Group raised concerns about cybersecurity threats and the need for a market-based mechanism for cybersecurity insurance to prevent a brain drain of talented practitioners.
As the competition concluded with a successful hack of the SUV’s system, the audience celebrated the contestants’ achievements, highlighting the importance of recognizing and rewarding the efforts of white hat hackers. Moving forward, events like GeekCon serve as valuable platforms for showcasing the skills and contributions of white hat hackers in enhancing cybersecurity in an increasingly digital world.