Today, I received a challenge coin. I’m thrilled! This one was for contributions to the GenCyber Camps being held at the University of West Florida. I have others won through hacking challenges and other work. Challenge coins are another great tradition that cybersecurity has borrowed from the military.
In cybersecurity, coins are presented to someone for a significant contribution of work or for having won/completed a cyber challenge. In the military, coins may be presented by the commanding officer of a unit to the unit members, by service members in appreciation of aid/assistance, or by a high-ranking officer in recognition of service.
The military carries the tradition further. In drinking establishments, coin checks take place. Anyone possessing a challenge coin presents their coin and may start tapping it on the table or bar. Everyone has to wipe out their challenge coins on the double or pay for a round of drinks. If everyone produces a challenge coin, then the person who started the coin check buys the drinks. There is a version where whoever has the highest ranking challenge coin has drinks bought for them by everyone else. The rank may be based on the unit the coin was issued from or by the person who presented the coin. A coin presented by the President of the United States outranks all others.
While there are many methods, organizational structures, and terms cybersecurity has borrowed from the military, it is fantastic that we share such a fun tradition.
P.S. - More to come about GenCyber on Monday.
For more information on the military tradition go to: https://www.defense.gov/News/Inside-DOD/Blog/Article/2567302/the-challenge-coin-tradition-do-you-know-how-it-started/
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