Jacob Riggs, from Bexley, London, identifies as an "ethical hacker" and aimed to secure Australia's National Innovation permanent visa (Visa 858), also known as the Global Talent Visa. This visa has an applicant success rate of under 1%.
To demonstrate his capabilities, the 36-year-old hacked into the visa granting system, discovering a critical vulnerability in the process.
In just a few hours, from the comfort of his home, Jacob Riggs identified the flaw. This discovery not only earned him commendation from Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) but also showcased his technical skills and dedication to safeguarding Australia's digital infrastructure.
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Jacob Riggs, a leading cybersecurity expert and security researcher, was granted Australia's Visa 858.
"If the Visa 858 required anything, I've demonstrated the value of my work by helping protect the nation that was assessing my residency visa application", he said.
Following his system intrusion, Riggs, global information security director for a major software as a service (SaaS) provider, was granted full residency rights in Australia.
He is now preparing to relocate to Sydney to work in cybersecurity.
"While I recognized the significance of this for my visa application, I viewed it simply as a routine security assessment, applying the same methodology I use in my professional work", the expert stated.
The incident occurred as Australia remains an attractive target for cyber criminals. Government agencies consistently face attacks, while private organizations are under increasing pressure to protect sensitive data.
On average, the national Cyber Security Centre receives a report from a cyber attack victim every 6 minutes.
The Australian Institute of Criminology's Cybercrime in Australia 2024 report indicates Australians lost at least 12,5 billion AUD.
47% of Australians experienced at least one form of cybercrime during the year, with the most prevalent forms being: online abuse and harassment (27%), identity theft and impersonation (22%), malware (21%), and online scams (10%).
The Global Talent Visa 858 is an Australian permanent residency visa for exceptionally talented immigrants who are leaders or have the potential to become leaders in fields such as: research, technology, innovation, and the arts, contributing to Australia's economic growth, employment, and productivity.
To be eligible, applicants need internationally recognized achievements, high income or a job offer, good English proficiency, and a nomination letter from a qualified Australian individual or organization in their field.
By Hai Thu (Sources: ACSC, Metro, Home Affair Au)
