Hackers get a bad rep. They’re known for breaking into computers, causing a raucous and nuisance at best. In?more extreme cases, they’re known for stealing IDs and account numbers and even, putting whole governments at risk.?Our Dept. of Homeland Security wants to hire these guys.
According to DHS Janet Napolitano, young hackers are just what we need. Foreign organizations have been hacking into that system, stealing and selling secrets, studying infrastructure, and putting us all at risk. That’s why they’re turning to people like 17-year-old Arlen Jaska and his classmate Collin Berman. They’ve taken part in a Virginia high school hacking competition. Out of 700 applicants, Jaska and Berman were two of the 40 who got to go. This convention was created by cyber security expert Allen Paller, who is cooperating with Homeland Security to train up the next generation of hackers.
They’re turning to youth because they know the curiosity kids like Jaska and Berman will have, and they’re eager to learn more. DHS knows if they train them young and get them interested, they will have a cyber security army for decades to come. But the question is, are the Jaskas and Bermans of America buying it. ?The problem with going into the government is you?re going to make a lot less,? said Berman. Jaska follows that up by reminding us you can’t exactly go around bragging about what you’re doing for government.
So is this a good idea? A few years ago, the winner of the cyber competition went on to break into the Pentagon and sent secrets to China, one of the very nations Secretary Napolitano is worried about! That brings up another point: Will these young hackers in training turn against DHS? Will they even want to work for DHS? These are questions I’d like to be?answered.