Launches cybersecurity awareness initiative to strengthen the skills of security experts in BFSI and other enterprises in India’s financial capital
Symantec (NASDAQ:SYMC) today announced that it will be hosting the first Cyber Readiness Challenge (CRC), an interactive cyber security competition on October 29, 2014, for corporates in Mumbai at The Lalit.
A first of its kind initiative by a security vendor, the CRC is designed to help 
security experts in organizations experience new methods of cyber attacks. An immersive, interactive ‘capture the flag’ competition that models scenarios based on the current threat landscape using realistic IT infrastructure, the CRC puts participants in the shoes of the hackers, so they can intuitively discover and develop a better understanding of hackers’ targets, technology, and thought processes.
Sanjay Rohatgi, President, Sales -Symantec India, said, “With targeted attacks on the rise, cybercriminals have become more patient and stakeout for longer periods of time to ramp up before carrying out attacks. To stay ahead of the cybercriminals, the Symantec Cyber Readiness Challenge will provide IT and security experts with an opportunity to experience real life security scenarios and enable them to formulate stronger strategies against potential cyber attacks.”
The first CRC in Bangalore saw a turnout of 40 security professionals from over 20 large and medium enterprises compete in attack scenarios provided by Symantec. Post-competition, more than 60 percent of the participants responded that they considered the competition to be helpful when planning future cybersecurity strategies for their organizations.
The challenge in Mumbai will build on this positive momentum and see IT and cybersecurity experts from over 25 companies including top banks, financial institutions, IT companies and telecos sharpen their security and cyber forensic skills. Participants will compete in a five-step, four-hour advanced persistent threat (APT) attack game scenario, which will include aspects like reconnaissance, incursion, discovery, capture and exfiltration. At the close of the competition, teams will be ranked based on how many points they have scored in the shortest possible time.
About Symantec
At Symantec Corporation (NASDAQ: SYMC), we protect your information wherever it’s stored, accessed or shared. Founded in April 1982, Symantec operates the largest civilian cyber intelligence threat network in the world. The company’s more than 20,000 employees reside in more than 50 countries and are pioneering new solutions in growing markets like backup appliances, mobile, cloud, advanced threat protection, data loss prevention, and managed security services. Ninety-nine percent of Fortune 500 companies are Symantec customers. In fiscal 2014, it recorded revenues of $6.7 billion. To learn more go to www.symantec.comor connect with Symantec at: http://www.symantec.com/social/
