Team Resilience and the UK Cyber 9/12 Strategy Challenge

A group of 2023 MPP students from Singapore, Australia and Azerbaijan with varied professional backgrounds came together with a passion for technology and innovation and a mutual interest in cyber policy. 

United by their shared commitment to address the challenges at the intersection of technology and public policy, the group, named ‘Team Resilience’, entered the UK Cyber 9/12 Strategy Challenge, an annual cyber policy and strategy competition where students compete to develop policy recommendations tackling a fictional cyber catastrophe. The competition aims to develop and train the cyber security leaders of the future. 

Laman Ahmadova, James Beh, Mark Low and Elliot Steel take up the story.

Preparation and learning at the Blavatnik School of Government

Our preparation for the virtual track of the competition was deeply rooted in the knowledge and skills we gained at the School. We discovered the true value of teamwork, learning from each other’s diverse experiences and gaining valuable insights into our individual strengths and weaknesses. Each team member brought unique skills to the table, and the complementarity of our abilities ultimately contributed to our success.

We approached the entry question – what it means to be a responsible, democratic cyber power – by applying foundational principles of fairness, justice, and an understanding of geopolitical dynamics learned from our coursework. Our studies on technological and AI developments through the MPP’s technology/digital cluster sessions were crucial in shaping our strategies. Understanding the UK's specific context was particularly important, as none of us are cyber specialists or UK natives

The competition and lessons learned

The Challenge required us to put our cyber and policy/strategy expertise to the test against realistic, critical-scale cybersecurity threats facing the UK. We had to astutely assess developing scenarios, delivering essays, situation reports, strategy memos, oral briefs, and respond to rigorous critique from cybersecurity professionals role-playing as officials from the Prime Minister's Office.

One of the key lessons we learned was the importance of adaptability and expecting the unexpected. The intensity of the competition, especially during an overnight preparation for the semifinals and the final round, taught us to remain flexible and resilient under pressure. We are immensely grateful to our coach, Professor Ciaran Martin, whose guidance and support was instrumental throughout our preparation. His expertise and encouragement played a crucial role in shaping our strategies and refining our presentations. Without his mentorship, navigating the intricacies of the competition would have been far more challenging. Our journey through the UK Cyber 9/12 Strategy Challenge was a testament to the power of teamwork, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the comprehensive education we received at the School, underscoring the value of the cross-disciplinary approach to public policy. It was a challenging yet rewarding experience that has further solidified our commitment to contributing to the field of cyber policy. 

Ps. did we mention we won?!