Victorinox Swiss Army Kicks Off Third Annual 'Crack the Code' Contest

Consumers, Hackers and Media Encouraged to Participate in USB Flash Drive Security Challenge for Chance to Win $250,000 and Trip to Switzerland

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Victorinox

Jan 06, 2011, 11:00 ET

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Victorinox Swiss Army (VSA), the exclusive marketer of Victorinox Flash USB Memory devices, announced its third annual Victorinox "Crack the Code" contest is officially open to attendees of the 2011 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES). Designed to challenge individuals to bypass sophisticated data encryption located on VSA's security protected Victorinox USB Memory devices, "Crack the Code" will give all CES participants a chance to win $250,000 and an all-expense paid trip to Ibach, Switzerland—birthplace to the original Swiss Army Knife.

"Our technologically advanced Victorinox Flash USB Memory devices—such as the newly introduced Victorinox Slim, Victorinox Slim Duo and Victorinox SSD—incorporate ingenious design that not only provide customers with security protection, but also the functionality and versatility our brand is world renowned for," said Rene Stutz, president of Victorinox Swiss Army USA. "The Crack the Code competition is aimed at demonstrating this craftsmanship and unmatched security by challenging consumers to navigate our layers of advanced encryption and protection, and access information held secure on all Victorinox Flash USB devices."

VSA has upped the prize package for its third "Crack the Code" contest, offering a $250,000 take-away and adding an indulgent trip to Switzerland, after no contestants in the competition's history have been able to successfully breach the Victorinox USB flash drive's security function. Through the added incentives, VSA is confident hackers of all skill levels will participate for a chance to win. In addition, a special gift will be given to all who attempt to break the code.

The Victorinox "Crack the Code" contest will take place at VSA's booth in the South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center—#35258. Individuals interested in participating must register and schedule a time slot via e-mail at [email protected] or in person at VSA's CES booth.

All "Crack the Code" attempts will be under supervision. Participants can bring any and all technical devices they'd like to assist them in their attempt and VSA will also provide sophisticated working stations on site for all participants. The contest will run for the duration of CES 2011, or until the code is cracked and a winner is determined. Detailed rules and regulations can be found at www.swissarmy.com/crackthecode.

VSA will also be demoing new USB flash drive innovations at its booth including: the Victorinox Slim, the world's smallest 128GB USB Stick; the Victorinox Slim Duo (2 x 64 GB); the Victorinox Secure SSD, the world's smallest solid state drive SSD with e-paper technology; and the long-awaited Apple Secure application. Each of these products contains Victorinox USB Memory devices that take advantage of sophisticated data encryption technology and can be viewed at VSA's booth.

For product fact sheets and high resolution images, click here to visit the VSA online CES press kit

About Victorinox

Victorinox produces and sells unique, high quality products worldwide which are of practical use in differing areas of life: Swiss Army Knives, Cutlery, Timepieces, Travel Gear, Fashion and Fragrances. The head office of the company is in Ibach, Schwyz, in the heart of Switzerland. This is where the founder of the company Karl Elsener first set up his cutler's business in 1884 and, a few years later, designed the legendary "Original Swiss Army Knife."

SOURCE Victorinox