Imagine needing to prove you’re one of the best in the world to get a visa – so good, in fact, that most recipients are Nobel Prize winners or Olympic medallists. That was the challenge facing Jacob Riggs, a 36-year-old British ‘ethical hacker’. His solution? To prove his world-class cybersecurity skills by finding a critical flaw in a live Australian government system.
Riggs was aiming for Australia’s highly selective 858 National Innovation visa, awarded to less than 1% of applicants. This visa demands irrefutable evidence of international achievement. For Jacob, that meant demonstrating his value in a way the system truly understood: by helping protect it.
From his home in London, Jacob approached the task like any professional security assessment. In less than two hours, he identified a significant vulnerability within a system operated by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). Crucially, he responsibly disclosed this flaw, ensuring it could be fixed before any malicious actors found it.
This “proof by hack” was exactly the tangible evidence of expertise the visa application required. DFAT formally acknowledged his work, adding his name to their Vulnerability Disclosure Program honour roll.
In a world riddled with cyber threats – from ransomware to state-sponsored attacks – Riggs’ actions highlight a vital shift in national security. Proactive identification of weaknesses is key, and responsible researchers like Jacob are invaluable. His unique approach not only secured him full Australian residency but also provided a platform to strengthen Australia’s digital defences.
Riggs is now preparing to relocate to Sydney within the next year to work in cyber defence, proving that sometimes, the best way to show your mastery is to reveal what’s hidden.
Source: https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/weird-news/british-ethical-hacker-cracks-government-36477621
