Computer hackers are no longer viewed as outsiders living in their parents’ basements — occasionally dangerous, but usually more of an annoyance to government cyber security professionals.  In fact, the governments of the U.S. and the United Kingdom are actively recruiting them as their newest weapon to answer their malicious counterparts who are members of organized crime rings and hostile nation-state cyber armies. The U.S announced this year its first-ever “Cyber Challenge,” a nationwide contest which mirrors a similar competition China has been running for five years. Organizers say the Cyber Challenge is designed to identify young people with exceptional computer skills and inspire them to join the shorthanded ranks of specialists needed to protect government, military and industrial cyber infrastructure. READ MORE