Calling all Developers!

ITVidya have associated with Microsoft to encourage participation and interactivity among our community to share tips on security, writing secure code, resources and taking support from each other to accelerate learning on hack-proof coding.

Slug: Create the safest code – Compete with the best coders all over India & Win some amazing prizes!

Intro: Security Shootout is a unique Microsoft India initiative to promote the concept of writing secure codes amongst Indian developers. To make learning fun and also rewarding, Microsoft are launching this contest targeted at all developers based out of India with over 7500 fabulous prizes to be won.

Contest Details: The contest will pit developers against each other and software bugs. This complete On-line contest is being held in three stages:

• Stage I- Security Quiz: The Contest will comprise of a security quiz consisting of 30 questions. The first round shall be a qualifying round where the top 1000 based on the cumulative scores at the end of this round shall move to the next stage.

• Stage II- Security Exam: The top 1000 Participants shall now undergo a security exam which shall comprise of another set of 30 questions. Based on the scores obtained at this stage 100 Participants shall be short listed for the next level of the Contest.

• Stage III- Securing the Given Code: In the final stage of the Contest, the 100 Participants will be provided a piece of code which shall have a number of security related bugs. The Participants will be required to fix these bugs and submit the modified code which shall be evaluated by Microsoft India.

At the end of stage –III, Microsoft will short list top 10 participants, who will go through personal interviews. The final top three and the subsequent winner of the grand first prize (customized Scorpio passion) will be announced during the Tech Ed in Bangalore in Mid June 2006.

Call to Action: To compete, you will have to register for free on the site. If you’re game, go straight into www.securityshootout.com . Please note, Contest ends 19th April 2006.