Can you solve the code? (Picture: GCHQ)

To most people, it looks like a screen full of random letters. But if you can spot the secrets hidden in the picture above, you could be recruited for a career as a code-breaker.

The Can You Find It competition was launched today by the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) to find the very best mathematicians and ethical hackers to join Britain’s battle against cybercrime.

Those clever enough to complete a cyber treasure hunt breaking a series of codes will also be in with a chance of winning a Google Nexus 7 tablet or a credit card-sized computer called a Raspberry Pi.



The competition, run on behalf of GCHQ by recruitment company TMP Worldwide, gives participants six weeks to hunt down four codes, leading them to various websites before they attempt to unlock the final answer.


Successful code-breakers could then follow in the footsteps of Alan Turing, who led efforts at Bletchley Park cracking codes made by the German Enigma machine during World War 2, defending national security and working with MI5 and MI6.

The roles in question are for ‘curious, tenacious and creative candidates’ who have the intellect, though not necessarily the experience or qualifications, to support the government’s national cyber security agenda, with a salary of between £26,000 and £60,000 depending on skills and experience.

GCHQ’s head of resourcing, Jane Jones, said: ‘The 21st century is confronting us with online threats that are difficult and dangerous, so we want employees who have evolved with the ever-changing digital world and therefore have the right skills to combat these challenges. It’s a puzzle but it’s also a serious test – the jobs on offer here are vital to protecting national security.’

The scheme follows GCHQ’s Can You Crack It? challenge last year, which drew millions to the site and saw 5,000 people apply, with 170 applicants taken forward to be interviewed.

To try your luck, visit www.canyoufindit.co.uk