At a virtual cyber security school, students can learn how to crack codes, fix security flaws and dissect criminals’ digital trails while progressing through the game as a ‘cyber agent’. This will help them develop important skills needed for jobs, particularly in cyber security, says the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS).
The school provides free weekly webinars run by industry teaching such security fundamentals as digital forensics, cryptography and operating systems.
At the DCMS, Digital Infrastructure Minister Matt Warman said: “This new initiative will give teenagers something fun and educational to do from home and provide them with a glimpse into the life of a cyber security professional. We have a world-leading cyber sector which plays a crucial role protecting the country and our digital economy, so it is absolutely vital we continue to inspire the next generation of tech talent to help maintain the UK’s strong position.”
Meanwhile the National Cyber Security Centre’s (NCSC) CyberFirst summer courses are moving online this year for 1000 14- to 17-year-olds develop important cyber skills from home during the coronavirus pandemic.
NCSC Chief Executive Officer Ciaran Martin said: “Technology is helping us all cope with the coronavirus crisis and is playing an essential role in keeping our businesses moving and our society connected. It has never been more important for our young people to keep engaged and learn how to protect our digital world – and I’m delighted to see our instructor led CyberFirst summer courses made available online.”
Enrolled students will learn how to code and carry out cybersecurity operations in an instructor-led virtual classroom. The National Crime Agency and Cyber Security Challenge UK will shortly announce teenagers can access their online cyber skills platform CyberLand for free. In the game designed to teach teenagers the fundamentals of cyber security, players protect the virtual city ‘CyberLand’.
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Jake Moore, Cybersecurity Specialist at ESET, welcomed the initiatives. “In fact, I’m surprised that cyber security is not part of the official curriculum yet as it is becoming a vital part of our children’s future and arguably linked to our future economy. Children in the UK could be at a disadvantage compared to the rest of the world should they not learn these important skills early enough, so we need to act now. The skills gap will shrink with help from such initiatives like this, but it won’t reduce at a quick enough rate without government intervention in schools making it as important as maths or literacy.”
Paul McEvatt, Senior Threat and Intelligence Manager, Fujitsu EMEIA said: “It’s hugely encouraging to see the government taking proactive steps in training good cyber security practice to younger users. The current lockdown has caused a spike in internet usage, which in turn can increase the risk to users of all ages. The training will not only teach children how to protect themselves from cybercriminals during the current period, but hopefully encourage them to practice good cyber security beyond lockdown. When considering the current skills gap we’re facing as a country in the cyber security sector, governmental initiatives like these are vitally important in ensuring the UK doesn’t lag behind.
“This training from a young age will prove helpful for businesses, governments and organisations both in the short- and long-term. With a spike in phishing-related emails during the Covid-19 lockdown, this is just one reason why championing best practice cyber security is imperative now – and instilling a culture where users are aware of the risks from an early age will help reduce the impact of these types of attacks further down the line. It is our belief that initiatives such as these and our STEM work, alongside other organisations in technical colleges, will help equip future generations with the right tools to pursue cyber careers, grow workforces and protect governments and institutions from the impact of future cyber-attacks.”
