Home Page – Cyber Security Challenge UK

Check out our lesson plans on the Computer Misuse Act (1990)

Our last seasonal challenge has finished for now, but cyber security and the CMA (1990) don’t have a shelf life. Check out the comprehensive set of SEND-friendly lesson plans suitable for use all year round and with a variety of secondary aged students.

Get featured in our blog series

What’s your cyber security story? Did you take the traditional route into the industry, or land here by chance? 

We want to hear from you for our brand new blog series – coming soon. You might just be the inspiration today’s young talent is looking for.

Enrolment for the 2024-26 Extended Cohort

CIISec offers the UK’s first and only Cyber Extended Project Qualification and enrolment for the 2024-26 Extended Cohort

Developed to help provide a starting point for anyone considering a career in Cyber Security; to go to university, start an apprenticeship or change career, the CyberEPQ is a level 3 qualification worth up to 28 UCAS points and is accredited with City and Guilds. The course, managed by CIISec, compromises of 10 core compulsory modules and 3 specialists modules covering a wide variety of cyber topics. The modules are accessed through online learning with each learner being assigned a supervisor to support them through the course. There is also the flexibility of taking the course over 1 or 2 academic years.

Inspire, challenge and help your school and students to stand out from their peers. If you know of anyone aged 14 or over who is considering a career in cyber security, then this may be the course for them!

Training courses from The Cyber Scheme

The Cyber Scheme offers a range of training courses from their facilities in an examination centre in Cheltenham

From their site: “The Cyber Scheme is a leading assessment body and an NCSC Certified Delivery Partner for technical training and exams.

Consultants who are evaluated by us are expected to demonstrate competence and skill at the highest level defined by the UK’s National Technical Authority for Cyber Security (NCSC). Our assessments cover IoT/ICS, Red Team Manager, Cyber Advisor (Cyber Essentials) and Team Member and Team Leader technical exams.

We are a Licensed Body for the UK Cyber Security Council, able to assess and recommend individuals for Chartered Professional Recognition for relevant specialisms including Security Testing and Incident Response.

We offer training and mentoring to complement our assessments, from entry to expert level, meeting the growing needs of our industry as threats evolve. We are also committed to increasing the talent pool of prospective offensive security specialists, encouraging people from a diverse range of backgrounds to train with our Cyber Scheme Academy.”

Take a look at their site, and register to join an intake. Find out how and why their courses could be for you.

Girlguiding Glos partners with The Cyber Trust

Moments that make the mission worthwhile!

Girlguiding Gloucestershire has partnered with The Cyber Trust www.thecybertrust.org, promoting online safety using the SpeakOut! app. As part of this activity, they’re creating a brand new badge to demonstrate internet safety.

Check out the latest news and updates on their website, where you’ll also find inspiration for activities that Brownies, Guides, Rangers, and individuals can take part in.

For example, Girl Guiding SW England has worked with Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and CyberFirst to develop an activity pack known as SWEBOTS. On the net offers a range of activities for all ages which provide new ways of learning about computer systems and cyber security – and you don’t need computer skills or access to computers or the internet to get involved! https://www.girlguidingsouthwest.org.uk/member-information/region-resources/swebots/97-on-the-net

The SWEBOTS have been created to encourage you to enjoy activities relating to Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM).  Each Girlguiding Section has its own SWEBOT to help you identify fun things to do which are suitable for your particular Section.  There is also LeaderBOT who is always around to provide advice to help you get the most out of the Resources in a safe environment, ProfBOT who explains the activities and the results you may see, and InfoBOT who comes to you fully equipped with lots of useful, additional information on the various tasks which the SWEBOTS suggest. The Resources and badges can be found on the Region’s online shop

Test and develop your skills in CyberLand

Do you want to learn about key cyber concepts like firewalls, protection against malware and phishing emails?

Play the CyberLand game, save the city and learn about cyber security. There’s no shortage of opportunities in cyber security, but we’re facing a global a shortage of cyber skills. Test and develop yours, and unlock a new door to your future career!

Available to play for free and new features being added frequently !  The latest addition is Intro to Malware 2, following up on the very popular Intro to Malware activity.

The Cyber Trust Family Internet Safety Project

The focus for the Family Internet Safety Project being run by The Cyber Trust in 2024/25 is to promote  the use of  mobile phone and computer monitoring solutions which allow adults to monitor what their children are doing online and to intervene when an issue is identified which may put the child at risk.

Rather than ban the use of such devices we would argue that creating safe framework within which parents and their children can work together to educate young people to understand the risks and possible consequences of their actions.

The types of products we are keen to promote are:

1. Mobile phone SIM cards with Parental Controls and recording of activity: ParentShield is one such company with tools to monitor activity, messages etc and to manage screen time remotely.

2. There are a number of software solutions which provide detailed monitoring of mobile phone usage and online activity. Some of these solutions are free and some commercial and The Cyber Trust’s Family Internet Safety Project aims to promote these solutions and make it easier for parents to implement them.

SpeakOut! by The Cyber Trust

We support The Cyber Trust as an official partner and its pioneering internet safety app, SpeakOut!

SpeakOut! is the result of an exciting collaborative effort involving The University of Gloucestershire, the Gloucestershire Constabulary and others, driven by a growing need for support specifically targeting 10-14 year olds as they face increased challenges as preteens and young teenagers growing up in a highly connected environment.

Breaking into cyber security

Check out our growing set of resources for students and teachers designed to inspire young talent to pursue cyber security and STEM subjects.

Women in Cyber

Get inspired by our interview series with inspirational female role models in cyber security. Keen to help close the gender gap? Nominate our next featured woman in cyber here!