**British Cybersecurity Expert Secures Australian Residency After Hacking Government Systems**
A British cybersecurity professional has achieved the highly sought-after status of permanent residency in Australia after successfully hacking into government systems while his visa application was under review. Jacob Riggs, 36, was granted the 858 National Innovation visa in December following a rigorous seven-month application process. This culminated in him testing the networks of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) to showcase his skills in real-time, during which he uncovered a significant vulnerability.
Working from his home in Bexley, southeast London, Riggs, who serves as the global director of information security for a major software-as-a-service provider, identified the exploitable flaw in under two hours in July. The 858 visa, previously known as the Global Talent visa, has a notoriously low approval rate of less than 1%. According to migration consultancy VisaEnvoy, since the program’s inception, over 9,000 expressions of interest have been submitted, with only 304 applicants invited and approximately 85 granted residency.
Riggs approached the task as a standard security assessment, applying the same professional methodology he uses in his work. He noted that the vulnerability he discovered met the critical severity threshold according to the Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) standards. DFAT has a formal Vulnerability Disclosure Policy that allows security researchers to test its systems within a defined scope. After reporting the issue, Riggs was recognized on DFAT’s disclosure program honor roll.
“DFAT was very prompt in their response and remediation,” Riggs stated, choosing not to disclose further evidence beyond his public blog post, as he wished to maintain confidentiality with DFAT. The 858 visa requires applicants to demonstrate internationally recognized achievements in priority sectors, including cybersecurity, and typically attracts individuals with exceptional credentials, such as Nobel laureates and Olympic medalists.
Riggs highlighted the unique challenges within the cybersecurity field, stating, “There’s no trophy equivalent of an Olympic Gold Medal. Everything comes down to what you’ve actually done.” His application included around 60 pages of evidence, showcasing bug bounty payouts, formal recognition letters from universities and governments worldwide, and documentation of vulnerability disclosures to major tech companies.
Despite having completed only secondary school, Riggs submitted professional accreditations and letters acknowledging his responsible disclosure work, presented in a formal or creative style to enhance search engine optimization.
In conclusion, Jacob Riggs’ journey underscores the evolving landscape of cybersecurity and the importance of practical skills over traditional academic credentials in securing opportunities in this critical field.
**FAQ**
**What is the 858 National Innovation visa?**
The 858 National Innovation visa is a permanent residency visa in Australia designed for individuals with internationally recognized achievements in priority sectors, including cybersecurity.
