Finally, the curtain fell on the Cyberstars of Rwanda Competition 2018.
The competition took close to 8 months of preparation, from the point of registration where 527 students from various universities registered to take part in the competition.
However, as the competition took its twist towards the online semi-finals, only 100 students took part in the online mentorship program that was offered by Silensec on the state of the art cyber range platform Cyberranges where students were given free access to courses on Ethical Hacking, Computer Forensics, Intrusion Detection and Security Monitoring.
Upon completion of the mentorship program, 81 students took part in the online semi-finals that were held on 30th November 2018; here 54 students who met the pass mark qualified for National Finals that was held on 18th December 2018 at the Nobleza Hotel where students took part in a live competition, thanks RISA, Ministry of ICT and Innovation and MTN Rwanda.
The students competed in the domains of Ethical Hacking, Computer Forensics and Intrusion Detection & Security Monitoring where the following winners were awarded not only with certificates but also computers, mobile phones, modems among other prizes. The competition took a maximum of 4 hours in which students attempted various challenges in the 3 categories.
The awards were as below;
ATTACKER
- Kevin Nyawakira – Adventist University of Central Africa (AUCA) – Information Technology -Networks and Communications System – 4th year
- Nicolas Iradukunda -Adventist University of Central Africa (AUCA) – Information Technology -Networks and Communications System – 4th year
- Ishimwe Nelson – Adventist University of Central Africa (AUCA) – IT Software Engineering – 3rd year
- ves Mutsinzi Adventist University of Central Africa (AUCA) – Information Technology – Networks and Communications System – 4th year
RESPONDER
- Emile Nsengimana – Adventist University of Central Africa (AUCA) – Information Technology-Networks and Communications System – 4th year
- Davy Nimbona – Adventist University of Central Africa (AUCA) – Information Technology-Networks and Communications System – 4th year
- IRADUKUNDA Olivier- Adventist University of Central Africa (AUCA) – Information Technology-Networks and Communications System – 4th year
- Dieg-Auguste ININAHAZWE – Adventist University of Central Africa (AUCA)
DEFENDER
None
OVERALL WINNERS
- Kevin Nyawakira- Adventist University of Central Africa (AUCA) – Information Technology – Networks and Communications System-4th year
- Elysee Tuyisere – Mount Kenya University Rwanda (MKUR) – Bachelor of Science in information technology – 4th year
- James Niyigena- Mount Kenya University Rwanda (MKUR) – Bachelor of Science in information technology – 3rd year
- Redempta MANZI – Mount Kenya University Rwanda (MKUR) -Bachelor of business and ICT – 3rd year
- Nsengiyumva Ramadhan Mount Kenya University Rwanda (MKUR) Bachelor of business and ICT – 4th year
However, there was no winner in the category of Defender.
With the support of the Rwanda government through RISA and the Ministry of ICT and Innovation, Silensec-the company behind the Cyber Security Competitions around the globe was able to organize and execute the competition to its successful end. The Cyberstars competition concept was inspired by the enormous gaps in cybersecurity skills that put enterprises and governments at risk of fraudulent attacks.
Rwanda is the first African country to buy into this concept as the government is keen on securing the country form cyber crimes.
In acknowledging the government support, the C.E.O of Silensec, Dr Almerindo Graziano said, “We would like to appreciate the Rwandan government for their enormous support in organizing these years Cyberstars Competition, as the pioneer African country, we are proud to be associated with this great country and its leadership towards mentoring future cybersecurity professionals”.
Mr Innocent Muhizi, the CEO of RISA further assured the students of government support in helping them build careers further beyond the competition. He said, “We want to encourage all universities and colleges offering IT studies to form Cyber Security Clubs through which the government will directly support and even train them where necessary to prepare them for careers ahead. Our association and support shall be directed through the Cyber Security Clubs”
The student’s representatives from the various universities also expressed their delight in this great innovative way of imparting cybersecurity skills and promised to continue practising to sharpen their skills.
The winners will sometime next year compete in a regional competition for African. The 2019 Rwanda edition will kick off in June 2019.
Our next country of the venture is Tanzania that is scheduled to begin in January 2019. It is also important to note that great milestones were made in the Arab Region where several countries took part and regional winners were awarded.
We wish to thank Maurice Kajangwe of the Ministry of ICT and Innovation for his industrious support in organizing the competition, the staff at RISA, Gloria Umutoniwase and Roger Cyiza for their relentless commitment to this course. We also wish to acknowledge our sponsor MTN Rwanda (Desire Ruhinguka and Ritah Umurungi) for believing in the youth-we look forward to greater partnership next year and going forward.
