In November, the Czech Ministry of the Interior awarded IT experts at Masaryk University a special prize for the Cybernetic Proving Ground project and 10 years of research in the field of cybernetic security.
The project, known as the Cybernetic Polygon (CYPO), provides security training which shows how critical infrastructure can be defended against hackers. In a virtualised environment security experts simulate sophisticated attacks without threatening the security of real systems of critical infrastructure, which include banks, wireless service providers, power plants and energy companies. Now the team is planning new projects and so looking to expand.
As Pavel Čeleda, head of the MU Security Department and a member of the team, states, CYPO works on the most interesting issues of IT research, with state-of-the-art technologies. In practical terms, this might mean that one of the Czech Ministries will get in touch with an IT problem that needs solving. MU security experts will analyse the situation and offer a solution or a future strategy. They may also invite Ministry staff to Brno to test the solution in a special protected environment.
Job for students
Those interested in working with the MU Cyber Team should send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and join the security group now. A few new projects are in preparation, one of which will be implemented in cooperation with the US Embassy and top world IT experts.
“Of course, BA students, too, can join the team,” says Jan Vykopal, who is responsible for cyber training and lectures in the Cybernetic Polygon. “Their enthusiasm for and interest in IT and cyber security are more important to us than experience.”