EC News DeskRichard Marko, CEO of ESET, has been invited to judge the first-of-its-kind Apps 4 Digital Peace Competition organised by the Cybersecurity Tech Accord, the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs, and the Office of the United Nations Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth. The competition was created in response to the dramatic increase in the malicious use of information and technology by state and non-state actors. Given the possible threat to international peace and security, these organisations felt a need to encourage the brightest young minds to help develop technology solutions to limit the use of the internet as a domain of conflict, and to increase the security and stability of our online environment.
Through ESET’s involvement as a signatory of the Cybersecurity Tech Accord, Marko will join a panel of distinguished judges to help stimulate new and ethical thinking from young innovators across the world. The other members of the panel are Alex Stamos, Director, Stanford Internet Observatory and former Facebook CISO; Damir Rajnovic, Cybersecurity Manager of Panasonic; Kim Zetter, award-winning journalist covering cybersecurity and national security issues; Liis Vihul, CEO, Cyber Law International; and Jayathma Wickramanayake, the UN Secretary General’s Envoy on Youth.
Five finalists are in the running to receive both cash prizes and networking opportunities that will help get their ideas off the ground. The winners will be invited to attend the Cybersecurity Tech Accord’s annual meeting to present their Apps 4 Digital Peace submission to some of the world’s leading technology companies committed to improving security online for users everywhere.
“It is a privilege to serve on the judging panel for the first-ever Apps 4 Digital Peace Competition,” said Marko. “At ESET we are passionate about making technology safer for everyone, and we are proud to empower the leaders of tomorrow in creating and developing innovative solutions that promote digital peace.”
“I’m excited to see what these bright, young minds create to tackle the many challenges that the cyber world brings,” said Tony Anscombe, Chief Security Evangelist at ESET. “Our youth innovators are the future of cybersecurity. Their contributions will help form cyber hygiene practices, protect infrastructure and promote responsible online behaviour, creating a positive impact in our online world.”
