GCHQ's Unconventional Recruitment Process - A Code Cracking Contest!

UK’s GCHQ (UK Government Communications Headquarters) has adopted the most unconventional way of recruiting people. The reason they state for using the most unconventional technique is that the people they are interested in, may not be uninterested in the conventional advertisements. They claim that many eligible candidates are not even aware of the opportunities in the intelligence agency. They may have the best combination of talents that are perfect for the agency but may not know how to apply it in a working environment even when they have so much to contribute. So in order to make their presence known to them they have announced a code cracking contest to help them in attracting new talent. This is not something new for the agency. In 2009, it included a video content in the Xbox live network. In2007, it placed digital posters in online game titles.



The agency’s spokesperson said “the campaign aimed to raise the profile of GCHQ to an audience that would otherwise be difficult to reach”. They are also not bothered about the possibility where the answer may be leaked online. It still helps them attain the goal: “Make the job opportunities in the agency known to people”. They have posted a visual code that is to be solved, on a standalone Can you crack it - behind the code. This contest came as a result of Prime Minister David Cameron presentation of the government’s response to the Intelligence and Security Committee's annual report. The cabinet is said to have supported such initiatives and contests.

The contest started on 3 November and will continue until 12 December. But it is meant for the U.K. citizens only. Also anyone who has hacked illegally are also not permitted. You may think that the time is sufficient but the code is not so simple. There is a count down timer in the site denoting the time left for the contest to close. Once the code has been cracked, Individuals will be provided with a keyword and it is to be entered in a form that directs the individuals to the recruitment website. With just 9 days remaining, Can you crack it?

Source: GCHQ challenges codebreakers via social networks - BBC News