Sydney, Sept 13: Six cold cases of missing persons will be given a new lease of life tonight when 700 tech experts put their heads together to try and find where they are.
The 2024 National Missing Persons Hackathon will see participants collaborate using cutting-edge technology and open-source intelligence (OSINT) techniques to generate leads on six unresolved cases.
Stone & Chalk, Australia’s hub for emerging tech innovation, is continuing its long-term partnership as a major sponsor of the event.
The Hackathon, which started in 2019, is a joint effort between AustCyber, the Australian Federal Police’s National Missing Persons Coordination Centre, and various industry partners.
Leveraging the skills of ethical hackers, the Hackathon has already provided valuable leads for real missing persons cases across the country.
“We challenge participants to delve deep into each case,” said Linda Cavanagh, founder of the Hackathon. “Our mission goes beyond data gathering; we aim to find that one crucial piece of information that could unlock a missing persons investigation for families and law enforcement.”
Originally a local event in Canberra, the Hackathon has grown into a nationwide initiative, bringing together cybersecurity professionals, students, and volunteers from diverse backgrounds.
Participants are trained in OSINT techniques, enabling them to gather intelligence from publicly available information to help solve cases.
Chris Kirk, CEO of Stone & Chalk, emphasised the importance of this initiative, saying, “We’re excited to support this hackathon where 700 people will spend five hours working to solve six missing person cases. It’s a great example of how technology can tackle tough problems in the real world.”
The Hackathon also raises awareness about the growing demand for cybersecurity professionals. “Australia’s cybersecurity sector is going to need 85,000 more people by 2030, and right now, 74 per cent of professionals say there’s a shortage of skilled workers,” added Kirk. “Events like this are critical.”
The event serves not only as a catalyst for missing person investigations but also as a platform to inspire the next generation of ethical hackers. It showcases how technology can be used for social good and highlights the vital role of cybersecurity skills in modern society.
In addition to Stone & Chalk, the Hackathon is supported by IAG and several other industry partners, including Murfin Group, Fifth Domain, OSINT Combine, My OSINT Training, Cygenus, Newrali, and Haystack Solutions. Participants will have access to training programs developed by OSINT Combine and My OSINT Training to enhance their intelligence-gathering skills.
This year’s event also introduces a custom-built platform designed to streamline the “capture-the-flag” format, allowing participants to collect and report intelligence in real time.
The platform is optimized to support more sophisticated data collection and case analysis.
With the Hackathon being live-streamed, the public can follow the progress and witness the impact of these efforts in real time.
The collaboration between tech innovators, cybersecurity professionals, and law enforcement highlights the power of technology to drive positive change in society.
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